The event, which will primarily bring together film crew members, aims to provide a platform for networking, collaboration, and the promotion of high professional standards in filmmaking.

Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio, Leila explained that the idea was inspired by a social media post she made on August 29, urging filmmakers to pay more attention to crew members who play crucial roles in production.

“The first thing the Ghana film industry NEEDS… before anything else is well-trained and efficient crew in all film departments. Post haste! The fact that you almost always have to fly more than 50% of this crew in is really sad. This is the edge South Africa has over Ghana when major films consider filming locations. We will discuss the bad roads and lack of standardized rates later,” she wrote.

According to her, the networking mixer aligns with the gap she identified in Ghana’s film industry and will serve as a step toward bridging it.

Leila Djansi is renowned for films such as Ties That Bind, Like Cotton Twines, Sinking Sands, and I Sing of a Well.

Source: Joy Entertainment 

Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio, Djansi urged industry players to explore more sustainable channels instead of placing their financial hopes on the streaming site.

“Personally, I don’t believe in the film fund. I think it is premature because there is no proper distribution. If you give the film fund, how are they going to make profit? People think we are just going to put films on YouTube. I’m sorry, YouTube is going to collapse very soon. There is too much congestion, and they are always changing their policies. If you oversaturate it, they reduce the earnings. So how much can you really make if you just put your film there?” she said.

Djansi argued that a government-backed film fund would be wasted if movies ended up on YouTube, stressing that piracy further weakens the platform’s viability.

She also raised concerns about the shortage of qualified film crew in Ghana and announced the Film Crew Networking Fixer, scheduled for Sunday, 24 September 2025, at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park at 6:30 pm. The event will serve as a platform for professionals across the film value chain to connect and collaborate.

Source: Joy Entertainment

The debate was reignited after film producer and director Shirley Frimpong-Manso expressed disappointment in an interview with Doreen Avio on Hitz FM, stating that Ghanaians appeared more excited about Tyler Perry’s new film Straw than her own project, Chasing Lullaby. Shirley suggested that Ghanaians have failed to support their own filmmakers.

While some sided with her, many others argued that the comparison was unfair and failed to take into account the level of investment Perry puts into his productions and promotion.

Leila Djansi took to Facebook to share her perspective, highlighting how Tyler Perry earned his support over time through authenticity, service, and commitment to his community.

“Let’s get one thing straight. Tyler Perry did not wake up one morning to that level of support. I used to attend his plays in Georgia. That man built his audience from the ground up. He carried his entire community with him… He never served Hollywood. He served his audience,” she wrote.

Leila, known for films such as Ties That Bind, Like Cotton Twines, and Where Children Play, further bemoaned what she described as clique behaviour, envy, and a lack of community spirit among Ghanaian creatives.

“In Ghana, too many people operate in cliques. Gossip cliques. You only reward people in your circle… And when Ghanaians, ordinary people, buy your movies, you reward them by posting pictures of your Gucci purse,” she added.

The filmmaker also suggested that unlike other audiences who focus primarily on the value of the work itself, Black communities often tie support to personal perception and emotional investment in the artist.

“There’s this thing I learned about us Black people. We use support as reward. We reward you with our support if we are happy with you,” she wrote.

Leila went on to share personal experiences where her efforts to support Ghanaian filmmakers were met with resentment or sabotage, leading her to withdraw from such efforts altogether.

She concluded her post with a critique of what she views as the toxic culture among some industry players and called for a shift in mindset, reminding creatives that storytelling is ultimately about service, not self-promotion.

“Being a storyteller is about service. Not fame. That gift is God’s gift. Use it to serve his earth. It’s not about you!” she noted.

Leila Djansi is a Ghanaian-American filmmaker known for tackling social issues through her works. She studied film in the United States and has earned awards and recognition for her strong female-led narratives and commitment to both African and diasporan storytelling. She has often spoken out about challenges in the Ghanaian film industry, particularly around professionalism, support systems, and creative integrity.

According to her, the incident occurred when a production designer mistakenly handed a real knife to actress Vanessa Williams for a stabbing scene, a situation that could have turned tragic if not for what she described as divine intervention.

Djansi used this near-fatal error to highlight what she sees as deep-seated inefficiencies in Ghana’s film industry.

She lamented the lack of professionalism, recalling instances where crew members abandoned filming to watch football, an assistant director took a nap in the middle of a shoot, and actors were denied proper wardrobe because their roles were deemed insignificant.

Drawing comparisons, she noted how meticulous film productions in other countries, such as the Dominican Republic, prioritize details, citing an experience where a props team provided her with eight different watches to select from for a single scene.

Her critique extended to the industry’s lack of growth, pointing out that despite Ghana’s talent and storytelling potential, poor execution continues to hold the sector back.

She referenced Ghana’s 2018 Oscar submission, Azali, as a rare bright spot, arguing that subsequent entries have failed to meet international standards.

Leila Djansi urged industry players to embrace constructive criticism instead of reacting defensively.

She educated that real progress can only come from acknowledging flaws and actively working to fix them.

In a post, Leila expressed her frustration with the Ghanaian public’s reaction to Chef Smith’s apology after he admitted to falsifying records and documentation for his Guinness World Record bid.

She condemned the lenient response from those who have accepted his apology, arguing that his actions require accountability rather than forgiveness.

“Honestly! I am appalled at how a majority of folks on Ghana social media are comforting and pampering this Chef Smith guy because he apologized! What’s wrong with y’all? Worried about your own skeletons, huh? This is why there’s zero accountability,” Leila wrote.

She also criticized the lack of seriousness with which the issue is being tackled, as she described Chef Smith as a “psychopath” for his ability to deceive an entire nation.

The filmmaker questioned the sincerity of his apology while reiterating that actions must have consequences, referencing the biblical story of David to underline her point.

“Someone tarnishes your entire image and gets away with it because they apologized. What on earth! David sinned, confessed and apologized, yet the child DIED. God took the child. People need to reap what they sow. Cancel this guy. Make his skin too hot. It will serve as a deterrent. Sanitize Ghana!”

She argued that, Ghanaians’= love for entertainment, such as cooking and singing, detracts the country from more meaningful contributions and achievements.

Adjetey Anang, co-star and longtime friend of McCauley, expressed his grief on social media.

Anang shared heartfelt memories of their time together on set, recounting how they used to be rivals on set, but best of friends beyond the screens and have maintained that relationship over the years.

He described McCauley as a valued member of the “Things We Do For Love” family, noting that the loss comes as a deep and unexpected blow to everyone.

Anang extended his condolences to McCauley’s family and acknowledged the pain of losing another member of the cherished series cast.

Also, producer Leila Djansi, in reacting to McCauley’s death revealed that she was aware of his illness and had plans to visit him soon.

She mentioned reaching out to McCauley just days before his passing and was devastated by the news.

Ms. Djansi expressed shock and sorrow over the sudden loss, grieving the timing as an unexpected beginning of the New Year.

Vincent McCauley, beyond his iconic role in “Things We Do For Love,” was working on his most recent project, “YOLO,” where he portrayed the character of Mark Anthony’s father.

Social media has been inundated with messages of condolence and memories of the late Vincent McCauley.

The journalist and political activist lost her two and half year battle with stroke on January 5 at the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital.

She was 44.

Emefa Djansi, famously known as Efua Djansi Asamoah, was arguably one of Ghana’s first female investigative journalists who in her time unravelled significant occurrences notably the killing of the overlord of Dagbon, Ya Naa Yakubu Andani.

She began her journalism career in Ho, where she launched and operated The Volta Observer newspaper at the age of 24.

The paper thrived for four years until digital news and social media phased it out.

During her time as a journalist, she worked as a Joy FM correspondent from Ho, Volta Region, after which she had a brief stint with Citi FM.

Emefa Djansi leaves behind two daughters, her mother, and three sisters.

She shared her experiences with host George Quaye on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, in a conversation dubbed, “The GH film industry from a Director’s point of view”.

According to Leila, the challenges she faces when working in Ghana seem to cut across various fields, comparing film making to bakery. “People do not understand routine”, she opined.

“If I hire an AD (Art Director) in Ghana, dude wants to sit down. An AD doesn’t sit down, you stand throughout: 17 hours, you stand, when I’m standing, you’re standing, when I’m running, you’re running,” she intimated.

Leila Djansi also lamented the lackadaisical attitude towards work in Ghana, while hinting that there is a huge contrast as compared to work ethic in the western world.  She detailed other challenges including technical issues, “like equipment, terminologies being different and then the learning curve which sometimes is almost non-existent”.

She seemed bothered during her submission, to signify that things could get much better if people in the various fields of work stepped up. However, in a sharp contrast, she humorously said, “apart from that, the food makes up for all of it”

She had a long piece written detailing factors she believes must be looked at towards legalising the anti-LGBTQ+ act in Ghana to protect the vulnerable.

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Read her full post below:

Anyone who tells you homosexuality has never existed in African culture hasn’t really read up on African culture!  My momma told me about the practice of woman husbands in Peki years ago.

If anything, Christianity is what wiped out these practices in Africa. Christianity took out a lot of African culture and even taught Africans how to dress well, covering their breasts and chests.

I laugh when men on social media stamp their feet and accuse women of indecent dressing. Please when did y’all learn to wear trouser and shirt? You have a lot to thank the first ships that docked on your shores for.

Women wore strips of cloth between their legs, rubbed wood oil on their breasts and bodies until it shone like a glassy lake in the cold winter.

You want to preserve African culture? Sure!

Bring back tokoatolia. Aka evil forest. Honesty will return.

Don’t celebrate the birth of twins. Ignorantly congratulating a man for his prowess. Kill twins!

I personally would appreciate akavodu. Instant justice.

You got boils? Large pimples? Cancer? Kidney or liver disease? You’re cursed. Go live on the outskirts.

Range Rover? What for? Please walk.

Pastors!!! You must proceed to the shrine post-haste!!

Come on y’all. Leave the LGBTQ community alone. Unless they come to hurt you, leave them alone!

The legalization is not endorsing them, it is protecting human life. Period.

Y’all Ghanaians just stoned a helpless old lady to death cos y’all said she’s a witch! Imagine what will happen if someone mischievously accuses a young man of ‘touching’ him. Y’all will throw tires on him and roast him like a pig without a judge or jury.

If a gay guy attempts to rape you, report to the police and it will be handled the same way the rape of women is handled. You will be handled, protected and defended same way women are.  

According to actress Danku, Miss Djansi is badmouthing her to some colleagues in the entertainment industry because she asked for her help and she couldn’t give.

Taking to her Facebook page, Miss Danku wrote:

You later came back to ask me for thousands of dollars which I didn’t give you so you went round telling people st*pid and childish lies…

I want them to know that your st*pid blabbing is all about the fact that I didn’t give you what you asked for. If anybody has warned you to be careful of Leila Djansi, believe them!

Meanwhile, Miss Danku later issued an apology: I regret posting on social media and this would not happen again. I will make efforts to resolve the differences… I would appreciate people who shared to kindly delete or take down the post since it was as a result of anger. I wish I could turn back the hands of time. I APOLOGIZE.

But, lawyers for Miss Djansi said the actress deleting the post of apology is uncalled for.

She has also been instructed to cause the retraction of the said words from all third party media outlets and blogs which have published same and also cause the said apology to have published and circulated, particularly on your Facebook wall with the same prominence as was given the defamatory words, by the close of 23^rd of July, 2020.

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Read the letter below:

We act as solicitors for and on behalf of Leila Djansi and write pursuant to her instructions.

It is our Client’s instruction that on the 21^st of July, 2020, you caused to be published on your Facebook wall some defamatory words targeted at the character of our Client.

Our Client further instructs that the said words to with “I might as well make the whole community aware that you are DANGEROUS… if anybody has warned you to be careful of Leila Djansi, believe them!” were falsely and maliciously calculated to lower our Client in the estimation of rightly thinking members of society generally and to tarnish her hard earned reputation.

It is our Client’s further instruction that although you issued an apology on your Facebook wall on the 22^nd of July, 2020 which was accepted by our Client, same was deleted shortly after it was issued.

Furthermore, notwithstanding the said apology, the damage to our Client’s reputation had already been occasioned as the said defamatory words had been widely circulated by various media outlets and blogs.

Consequently, our Client demands that you cause the retraction of the said words from all third party media outlets and blogs which have published same and also cause the said apology to have published and circulated particularly on your Facebook wall with the same prominence as was given the defamatory words, by the close of 23^rd of July, 2020.

Our client further demands that the publication of the said apology on your Facebook wall should remain for no less than seven (7) days from the date of publication.

Should you fail to do so, our Client will be compelled to pursue appropriate remedies without further notice to you.

Yours sincerely,

Signed

Obeng-Sakyi, Sobgbodjor & Co.

Find the original post below:

Filmmaker Leila Djansi demands retraction and apology from actress Kafui Danku by Dennis Adu on Scribd

She made this statement after colleague actress Joselyn Dumas thought it right to transfer an undisclosed amount of money to her fans during the coronavirus lockdown.

“Hello twitter fam, I hope everyone is #stayingsafe and #stayinghome. I’m giving out mobile money to 50 of my fans by random selection here during these trying times. Kindly reply with why you should be selected, your name and momo number and you might just get lucky!”

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Later that day, 10 of Joselyn Dumas’s fans became lucky recipient of the money, putting out screenshot to confirm their payment.

But Leila Djansi felt the money went to the wrong people.

According to her, it would have been better if she donated the money to folks such as indentured workers, widows and micro-scale workers who have been disenfranchised, among others.

She explained the kind gesture of Joselyn Dumas will rather encourage beggarly behaviours from fans.

According to the actress, she believes actors must be versatile to better enable their acting prospects.

Leila Djansi, in an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, urged African actors to learn to switch their accents before seeking international jobs.

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According to the ‘Sinking Sands’ director, speaking with an African accent during auditions in the West can go against an actor. She added that she has lost a number of jobs due to her African accent.

Her comments have, however, gotten many talking with some saying she is asking African actors to change their identity by trying to behave like westerners.

However, actress Ama K. Abebrese in support said she totally understands the ‘Sinking Sands’ director, adding that she has seen auditions like that.

“I totally understand where Leila is coming from because, the reality of the matter is when you are in LA, Nollywood, sometimes you get that cast profile and they say American or United Kingdom accent or we’re looking for someone with a Jamaican or Ghanaian accent and I have been to auditions like that. For her as a director to say that, there is nothing wrong with it,” she said.

Ama K. Abebrese was quick to add that the situation does not apply to everyone.

She mentioned names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Djimon Hounsou among others who have the same accents in movies.

She, however, advised that if actors are able to learn different languages, it gives them a better chance when auditioning.

According to her, many health officials have become desensitised to death hence do not try their best in cases they think all hope is lost.

Leila Djansi told Lexis Bill, on ‘Behind the Fame’, that these doctors do not realise that with a little effort, they would make so much difference in the healthcare system.

“For example, when we took little Doris [a family member] to the exam ward, they put her in the condemned ward. So, when they put you there it means they’ve given up on you. You should see Doris now, she can run faster than you.

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“That’s one of the things that really irks me in Ghana. A lot of people ask me ‘are you gonna move back to Ghana?’ I cannot move back to Ghana because of healthcare, I don’t wanna die if I could be saved,” the ‘Sinking Sands’ producer stated.

She said that her mum, a nurse practitioner, once told her if a person goes to the hospital in Ghana and come back, it is grace.

The ‘A Northern Affair’ director added that the disposition of doctors’ towards their patients could also go a long way in their treatment.

“I know I have come hard on the Ghanaian doctors and said they’re not friendly but I think when you smile at your patients it goes a long way,” she added.

Leila Djansi, however, praised some doctors she said were trying their best to bring their patients some relief.

“You go to the cancer centre at Korle-Bu and it is so small. The doctors are doing everything they can in a very small space, it’s hard,” she said.

Speaking in an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, she advised African actors aspiring to grow beyond their national borders to learn how to switch their accents professionally before seeking jobs internationally.

Leila is an award-winning director and producer and has great reputation in the sub-region when it comes to making movies with thrilling and compelling content.

She’s well known for producing movies such as Sinking Sands, Ties That Bind, And Then There Was You, and Like Cotton Twines among other notable ones that got her winning awards. Or better still had her nominated.

But, narrating the hell she has been through to win contracts oversees, she maintained that one must learn how to switch accent organically.

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According to her, speaking with an African accent during auditions in the Western world can go against an actor.

“You walk into places and once they hear your African accent, they already start doubting you can do. Look, if my accent was British I would probably have won a mainstream Oscar already. I am not changing my identity but I just have to pay my bills,” she told Andy Dosty.

Madam Djansi further explained that, though there are many African stars such as Chinonye Chukwu making it big in the International movie sphere, they have switched their accents to secure jobs.

“There is no support or infrastructure. You just have to know how to play the game. There is a lot of African actors represented by agencies but how many of them get movies. The best ones don’t have African accent. The number of jobs I have lost due to African accent it’s not easy,” she noted.

Leila’s revelation comes as no surprise to entertainment pundit, musician and producer, Mr Logic who recounted on the same Daybreak Hitz show how he was denied a distribution deal in Canada due to his African accent.

Mr Logic said when he first called the agency with his African accent he was denied access but after calling in some few hours later with a Jamaican one, he was given the green light.

Meanwhile, British-Nigerian actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje also in an interview with Lexis Bill on Personality Profile on Joy FM said that Hollywood does not always welcome Black people of Africa descent with open arms, hence 99% of the time, they should expect rejection after auditions.

A sarcastic-sounding Leila said she did not require the permission of any one when applying makeups prior to events.

The Northern Affair director was scheduled for an interview on Joy FM’s ‘Behind the Fame’ with Lexis Bill and the artwork which was posted to promote the show had Leila applying what was considered by many people as faint makeup.

Actress Vicky Zugah who clearly had issues with Leila’s makeup questioned the source in the comment section of the Facebook post.

Find the post in reference below:

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She asked: “Who does Leila’s makeup, please,” before adding a “shaking my head” emoji.

Leila reacting to Vicky’s comment told told Andy Dosty on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz show on Tuesday that “I do my own makeup”.

On why she dislikes the application of thick makeup, the renowned filmmaker said: “I don’t like to look like two different people.”

Leila said that trolls on social media don’t get to her.

“She was trolling me but I don’t care… I have best friends who do sh*t talk like that; its fine.”