Shirley Frimpong-Manso Slams Ghanaian Media for Hyping Tyler Perry’s ‘Straw’ Over Local Films

Celebrated Filmmaker Questions Media’s Priorities Amid Global Buzz Over Perry’s Latest Movie

Jun 22, 2025 - 22:37
Jun 22, 2025 - 22:40
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Shirley Frimpong-Manso Slams Ghanaian Media for Hyping Tyler Perry’s ‘Straw’ Over Local Films
Shirley Frimpong-Manso Slams Ghanaian Media for Hyping Tyler Perry’s ‘Straw’ Over Local Films

Renowned Ghanaian film producer and director Shirley Frimpong-Manso has criticized the Ghanaian media for what she describes as misplaced attention on Tyler Perry’s latest movie, Straw, instead of championing quality local productions.

Speaking on Accra-based radio station Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with host Doreen Avio, Shirley vented her frustration over what she sees as disproportionate focus on Perry’s film, which has sparked commentary and analysis across Ghanaian media platforms since its release.

“Why are we talking about Tyler Perry’s movie when we could easily have that same attention come to a Shirley Frimpong-Manso movie?” she questioned.

■ Local Stories, Global Quality — But Media Silence

Shirley pointed out that while Straw addresses relatable issues such as the struggles of single parents, many Ghanaian films also explore equally relevant themes — yet receive little to no recognition.

Citing her recently released film Chasing Lullaby, which debuted on Mother’s Day via her Sparrow Station YouTube channel, Shirley bemoaned the lack of coverage and support.

“It’s a beautiful film that talks about mothers in all forms,” she said.

“But I didn’t see the media pick it up and make a whole song and dance about it like they are doing with Tyler Perry’s movie. He doesn’t care about us.”

■ A Call for Equal Spotlight on Ghanaian Excellence

With 17 years in the industry, Shirley has built a reputation for producing films that critically examine Ghanaian society while pushing cinematic boundaries. Her filmography includes The Perfect Picture, Life and Living It, Scorned, 6 Hours to Christmas, and A Sting in a Tale.

She argues that the local industry can not thrive if Ghanaian creatives are constantly overlooked in favour of international acts.

“We’ve put films there that critically examine a lot of things. But we don’t get even a whit of the attention. It’s time we celebrated our own,” she added.

■ Sparrow Station: A Platform for Homegrown Cinema

In February 2025, Shirley launched Sparrow Station, a YouTube channel dedicated to her original productions, aiming to create a digital hub for Ghanaian film lovers and storytellers.

As Tyler Perry’s Straw continues to dominate global headlines and local chatter, Shirley’s message is clear: supporting homegrown talent is not just patriotic — it’s necessary for the survival and growth of Ghana’s film industry.

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