Award-winning Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Yvonne Nelson is speaking out against what she describes as systemic sabotage by the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) during her early days in filmmaking.

In a revealing interview on The Career Trail show, which airs on Joy News and Joy Learning TV, Nelson disclosed that FIPAG banned her after she raised concerns about unethical practices and working conditions within the Ghanaian film industry.

“I was banned by a group of men in the industry. They call themselves FIPAG,” she said.
“When you are a woman and vocal—when you’re unhappy with things around you and want to talk—people just don’t like that.”

Silencing Women in Film?

Nelson, known for her fearless personality and strong voice in social issues, believes the move was a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence her because of her gender and outspoken nature.

“They felt like I complained about everything I was unhappy about,” she said.
“In their minds, they wanted to intimidate me, end my dreams, teach me a lesson, and silence me as a young girl in the industry.”

Her revelations have reignited conversations about gender-based bias and gatekeeping in Ghana’s entertainment space, particularly in the male-dominated filmmaking sector.

The Birth of YN Productions

Rather than buckle under the pressure, Yvonne turned her frustration into fuel for entrepreneurial innovation. She founded YN Productions, a film production company that has since produced several successful titles.

“I just decided I can do my own thing. Why don’t I try?” she said.
“So, I registered a company around that time and started producing my own movies.”

With the support of collaborators such as Kelvin Kobiri, now a pastor, and seasoned producer Abdul Salam, Nelson navigated her transition from actress to producer — a move that would redefine her legacy in Ghana’s film industry.

Today, Yvonne Nelson is recognized not just as a leading actress but also as a formidable force behind the camera, inspiring a new generation of Ghanaian women to pursue creative independence.

Her journey, marked by defiance and determination, underscores the importance of creating space for women’s voices in African cinema—on set, on screen, and in boardrooms.