Two Showmax Original series, Shirley Frimpong-drama Manso’s series ENO and the documentary reality series My Perfect Funeral, marked the beginning of Showmax’s investment in Ghana in 2022. This was done on purpose by the African streaming service to support the Ghanaian film and television industry and increase the audience for African content created by Africans.
This investment is paying off since there is a growing demand for regional programming throughout Africa, not just in Ghana. In 2022, seven of the ten most viewed titles in Ghana on the platform, with two titles from Nigeria and one from abroad, were local, according to the most recent viewership data from Showmax.
Following are the top 10 shows on Showmax in Ghana in 2022, listed alphabetically:
Ghana Medical
Accra Medic, a medical drama that will premiere in January 2022, examines the life of the employees at an Accra hospital. The series follows them as they struggle to preserve the lives of patients at a hospital that is being mismanaged in a nation with a failing healthcare system, while simultaneously juggling the difficulties in their personal lives.
Accra Medic, which is helmed by Emmanuel Apea (Run Baby Run), also stars Kweku Elliot (To Have and To Hold), Edward Agyekum Kuffour (Inside Out), Desiree Crentsil (Noko Fio), and Aaron Adatsi (Public Figure).
The Buzz from Big Brother Naija
Toke Makinwa, a prominent media figure in Nigeria, hosted this BBNaija Showmax exclusive. She welcomed guests each week to join the discussion and gave her unfiltered perspective on events in the BBNaija home.
In case you missed it, Big Brother Titans, the most recent season, is also streaming on Showmax.
Dede
This Ghanaian telenovela, which has made the top 10 most watched shows on Showmax in Ghana for the past two years, follows the turbulent love story of the title character Dede (Adomaa Adjeman), who comes from humble beginnings, and the wealthy Michael Robertson (Dean Amegashie), as they struggle for their relationship in a society where everyone is against them.
Dede also stars Adjetey Anang (To Have and To Hold, Citation), Joselyn Dumas (Glamour Girls, Tenant of the House), Anita Erskine (who plays the no-nonsense matriarch of the Robertson household), James Gardiner (from Ghana Jollof), and Dede’s father, Adjetey Anang.
Shirley Frimpong-Manso, a multi-award winning Ghanaian director, produced and directed the film Dede (ENO).
ENO
ENO, the first Showmax Original in Ghana, is produced by Ken Attoh and directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso (Dede, Potato Potahto).
The narrative centers on Abena Baafi, a single mother who is determined to interfere in the lives of her three children by directing them toward wealthy suitors. Her “girls,” however, are independent thinkers, and soon a mother’s fantasy turns into a daughter’s nightmare.
Gloria Osei-Sarfo (The Perfect Picture – Ten Years Later) plays Abena in the 13-part drama series, while Mariam Owusu-Poku, Esi Hammond (Rumours), and Emelia Asiedu play her three daughters.
Queens, GH
This brand-new reality show follows four feisty young ladies who grace the Ghanaian entertainment industry with their talents, well-publicized social media platforms, and all the rumors about their personal life.
The GH Queens ensemble, which is led by actress and media sensation Efia Odo, including Sista Afia, CocoTreyy, Abyna Marie, and social media influencer BZ Darko.
Building of the Dragon
172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen, HBO’s wildly popular Game of Thrones prequel recounts the struggle for dominance inside House Targaryen at its height. The first season’s 10 episodes are based in part on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
The premiere of House of the Dragon, which was already given a second season renewal, attracted almost 10 million viewers, the highest audience for a new HBO original series ever, and the series’ finale attracted 9.3 million viewers, the highest number for any HBO program since Game of Thrones came to an end in 2019. It has already won the Best Television Series – Drama 2023 Golden Globe and the Best TV Series 2023 Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Awards, which is international recognition of the best-reviewed shows of the year.
In my ideal funeral
Five families in Ghana are followed throughout the 10-part Showmax Original reality series as they get ready to bury their loved ones. The series chronicles the many steps leading up to the funeral with two episodes devoted to each family. It also includes POVs and confessionals from significant family members.
My Perfect Funeral, which was released in December 2022, is the second Ghanaian Showmax Original movie.
Villa Tanko
This comedy-drama features Ghanaian actor and comedian DKB, Roselyn Ngissah (Inside Out), and Nikki Samonas (Single Not Searching) and follows the tenants residing at Tanko Villa while according to the “simple” yet challenging restrictions established by landlords Mr. and Mrs. Tanko.
Every episode’s humor is inspired by the mayhem and craziness around the regulations and shared living conditions.
The Lagos Real Housewives
The glitzy lives of six of Africa’s most beautiful women are followed in the first Nigerian installment of the popular international franchise: entrepreneur Carolyna Hutchings, attorney and owner of a luxury hair brand Chioma Ikokwu, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, influencer Laura Ikeji-Kanu, PR specialist Mariam Timmer, and celebrity stylist Toyin Lawani-Adebayo.
Additionally, The Real Housewives of Lagos was among the top 10 titles streamed on Showmax in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa in 2022.
To Posses and Hold
To Have and To Hold, which is an adaptation of the popular South African series Unmarried, chronicles the lives of three women in Accra as they navigate the difficulties that come with their marriages, relationships, and jobs.
Lydia Forson (A Sting in a Tale, The Perfect Picture), Naa Ashorkor (The Best Picture, Checkmate), and Zynnell Zuh are the stars of the film To Have and To Hold (When Love Comes Around, Crazy, Lovely, Cool).
Adjetey Annang (Dede, Cartel: The Genesis), Ekow Blankson (Black Earth Rising, Checkmate), Kweku Elliot (An African City), and ex-Big Brother Africa housemate Elikem Kumordzie are all featured in To Have and To Hold (Silver Rain).
