NFA Board Chair Praises Channel One TV For Boosting Film Industry With ‘The Blanksons’
Movie director and Chief Executive Officer of Farmhouse Productions, Ivan Quashigah, has lauded Tesano-based Channel One TV for its latest original series, ‘The Blanksons’, describing it as a significant boost for Ghana’s film industry.
Quashigah, who also serves as Board Chairman of the National Film Authority (NFA), said the yet-to-be-aired series meets international standards and can compete favorably with productions abroad.
He made the remarks after a private executive watch party held to unveil the series.
“When I view a production, I look out for good scripts, good acting and strong production values. All these three elements are evident in this work,” he said.
“It shows that a lot of care has gone into the production. This is a project that can rank anywhere internationally, and it is something Ghanaians must be proud of and patronize.”
He noted that Channel One TV’s initiative is an example of what many local television stations should prioritize—investing in original Ghanaian productions rather than relying heavily on foreign content.
“This production is what TV stations must be doing—putting money into local productions. When they do that, they create employment across the value chain, from actors to technical crew and other industry professionals,” he stated.
According to him, many trained industry professionals remain unemployed because some broadcasters prefer to acquire cheaper foreign content instead of investing in local productions.
“It costs money to produce quality content. Because some foreign productions are cheaper to acquire, stations opt for them. While it may not be entirely wrong to show foreign content, there must be a balance,” he said.
Quashigah also raised concerns about the increasing broadcast of foreign series dubbed into local languages, which he believes undermines Ghanaian cultural identity and affects the local film industry, including Kumawood productions.
“The biggest concern is that some of these foreign contents are dubbed into local languages. As a result, we now see foreign actors speaking Twi on our screens, while our own local industry struggles,” he lamented.
He added that many imported programmes project cultural values that do not align with Ghanaian or African traditions.
While he stopped short of calling for a complete ban on foreign content, Quashigah stressed the need for regulatory measures to protect the local industry.
“We need a law to regulate this space. Advocacy alone is not enough. When we have a law, we must ensure it works effectively,” he said.
He disclosed that the NFA is collaborating with the Independent Broadcasting Association to push for legislation that would sanitize the broadcasting system and promote local content.
The Blanksons, originally produced by Channel One TV, is a warm, character-driven Ghanaian family dramedy set in modern Accra. The series explores themes of tradition, ambition and global influence in everyday life.
It is directed by NAFTI-trained filmmaker Victoria Dogbe, who also works with Channel One TV.
Speaking to the media, Dogbe described the series as an authentic reflection of contemporary Ghanaian family life.
“The Blanksons is a present-day Ghanaian family story that many people can relate to. It blends humour and drama to reflect everyday life. It is about love, conflict, ambition and the unspoken tensions that exist in many homes,” she said.
She added that audiences should expect a production that is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
“It is grounded and authentically Ghanaian. Viewers will see themselves in the characters. It is quality production that tells our own story,” she noted.
Dogbe also expressed gratitude to the Chief Executive Officer of Channel One TV, Samuel Attah Mensah, for the opportunity to direct the project.
“I would like to thank Mr. Samuel Attah Mensah for giving me this platform,” she said.
