Omanghana
Nigerian actress and reality television star Bamike Olawunmi, popularly known as Bam Bam, has shared her observations about the differences between Ghana’s film industry and Nigeria’s Nollywood, describing Ghana’s filmmaking process as slower and more methodical.
Speaking during an interview after arriving in Accra, the former Big Brother Naija star said she was initially surprised by the pace of movie productions in Ghana, where more time is spent on technical preparations before filming begins.
Bam Bam is in Ghana ahead of the premiere of “No Man of God,” a live cinematic and musical production scheduled to be staged at the National Theatre on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Surprised by the Pace of Production
Reflecting on her experience working with Ghanaian film crews, Bam Bam admitted that she initially struggled to understand why so much time was devoted to preparing scenes before cameras started rolling.
According to her, film sets in Ghana often spend several hours arranging lighting, adjusting camera positions and resetting scenes to achieve the desired quality.
She said that coming from Nigeria’s fast-moving entertainment industry, the slower pace was unfamiliar.
“I didn’t quite understand why they took so much time to reset and arrange for lights. They can spend two, three or even four hours setting up a scene,” she said.
Comparing Ghana and Nigeria
Bam Bam explained that Nollywood productions, particularly in Lagos, are generally known for their rapid turnaround times.
She noted that filmmakers in Nigeria often work under tight schedules, with productions moving quickly from one scene to another in order to meet deadlines.
In contrast, she observed that Ghanaian productions appear to place greater emphasis on preparation and technical execution rather than speed.
The actress said she initially feared the slower pace would significantly extend the duration of filming, but members of the Ghanaian production team explained that the careful approach is part of their filmmaking culture and commitment to quality.
Ongoing Industry Conversation
Her comments have added to the long-running conversation comparing Ghana’s film industry, commonly known as Ghallywood, with Nigeria’s Nollywood.
Nollywood has built a reputation as one of the world’s most prolific film industries, producing a large number of movies each year and benefiting from wider distribution through cinemas, streaming platforms and digital channels.
Ghana’s film industry, while producing fewer films, is often praised for paying close attention to cinematography, storytelling and technical details.
Industry stakeholders continue to debate whether a slower production process results in higher-quality films or whether greater investment and faster production models are needed to help Ghana’s movie industry compete more effectively on the global stage.
Busy Period for Bam Bam
Bam Bam’s visit to Ghana comes during a successful period in her acting career.
The actress recently earned widespread recognition for her role in the romantic drama Love in Every Word, which attracted millions of views on YouTube and further boosted her profile across Africa.
She is expected to join fellow actors and performers for the premiere of “No Man of God,” one of the major theatrical productions scheduled to take place in Accra this week.
Source: Omanghana
