According to revered US filmmaker Spike Lee, no Ghanaian filmmaker or institution reached out to him on his visit to Ghana. 

Mr Lee spoke to Accra-based Asaase Radio. 

The 'Chi-raq' filmmaker said even though his coming to Ghana was widely publicised and he was open to engaging with local movie industry figures and students in the film institutions, no such opportunity was presented to him.

Spike Lee, 66, also claimed he was well acquainted with the movie industry in Nigeria and not Ghana's.

“I did not know - I was not aware that there is a thriving film industry in Ghana," he said. "I know about Nigeria. And I made the point... It was publicised that I was coming and no one approached me from the film office [in Ghana]. I'm leaving tomorrow so..."

He indicated he had no knowledge of Ghana's National Film Authority, and that no one from the establishment, including Chief Executive Ms Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante, had reached out to him. 

"I would have loved to meet the people in the film industry here but no one reached out,” he added.

Informed that a meeting could be set up, he stressed that: "I'm leaving tomorrow." 

Born Shelton Jackson, the iconic movie producer and actor also asked if Ghana has a film school. He learned from his host that there is the University of Media, Arts and Communication, formerly the National Film And Television Institute (NAFTI).

"If there’s a film school here and they know Spike Lee is coming, no one reached out and said ‘Spike, can you speak to our students?'" he responded. "I would have done it.”

He expressed interest to address the school on his next visit, but said: "I need an invite."

"I'd love to meet the filmmakers in Ghana, the artistes, the film students..." he stressed. "We have to set that up, alright? Next time..." 

Lee arrived in Ghana on Sunday, March 26, 2023, as part of US Vice President Kamala Harris' videography team. 

He was welcomed at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) as a participant of the Ghana Tourism Authority's (GTA) Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiative.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA Akwasi Agyeman and the Director of the Beyond The Return secretariat, Annabelle Renee, received the movie jefe with a performance by traditional musicians and dancers.

“The last time we met, I told him I was about to move to Ghana," Ms Renee remarked at the KIA. "That was in 2018. Now he’s here in Ghana, and I got to welcome him at the airport."

“This really is amazing," she exclaimed. "And I continue to be happy that more African Americans are making the trip to connect with Ghana.”