Renowned Ghanaian filmmaker, Shirley Frimpong Manso, has expressed concern over what she describes as a culture of criticism overshadowing genuine celebration in Ghana’s creative industry.

In an exclusive interview on Daybreak Hitz with Doreen Avio, the award-winning director recounted how her 2023 win at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCAs) was overshadowed by public backlash not for her achievement, but for her outfit choice.
“I remember when I won, what people wanted to talk about was my dress, because they said that my dress was so short and everybody else was wearing a gown.”

Frimpong Manso noted that the focus on superficial matters like fashion choices, rather than accomplishments, reflects a wider issue within the Ghanaian entertainment community.
“ I remember someone commenting, saying Ghanaians, are you for real?"

"The girl goes and wins an award, and the only thing that Ghanaians wanted to talk about was my dress and the fact that I didn’t wear a gown, can you believe it?”

She criticised the industry's tendency to downplay or ignore creative milestones.

“And now you are upset that nobody is winning anything. When we have won, what have we done?  Even when we have been nominated, Do we make enough noise about it?”, she questioned.

Frimpong Manso called on industry stakeholders and the public to focus on supporting and celebrating creatives, rather than tearing them down over trivial issues. She stressed that positive reinforcement and unity are essential for Ghanaian talent to thrive on the global stage.

“If we want to be taken seriously internationally, we must learn to uplift each other rather than chase negative publicity,” she urged.