Is The Ghanaian Movie Industry Ruled By Colour?

Over the last few years, an emerging trend within the Ghanaian movie industry has been the explicit use of light- skinned actors, over those of with a dark- skinned complexion. The majority of recently released Ghollywood films have featured actors and actresses with light complexions in the leading roles, regardless of their acting credentials, and experience.

The desire to feature light-skinned actresses and actors in leading roles is a misleading reflection of Ghanaian society; as a West African nation, the majority of Ghanaians are dark skinned. However, due to the dominating appearances of light complexioned actors and actresses in Ghollywood movies, the assumption could be made that perhaps 70% of the Ghanaian population is either light-skinned or mixed race.

Although ‘light’ is seen as more beautiful, an influx of darker skinned actors and actresses are now beginning to step to the forefront of the limelight, and take their positions as leading men and ladies. Take Jackie Appiah for example, frequently cast in a supporting role opposite the lighter Nadia Buari, Ms Appiah- Africa’s newly crowned Best Actress- has stepped her game up tremendously to show that skin colour does not determine skills.

Unfortunately, the pressures of the industry are high, leading some actors and actresses to succumb to the pressures of bleaching. Henceforth, it is because of such industry pressure that actresses like Jackie, Genevieve Nnnaji, and Lydia Forson should be congratulated on holding their own to show off their natural, dark-skinned complexions.

By: Regina Sackey Addo/ GhanaCelebrities.Com/United Kingdom