The main problem with the video game scene in Ghana: Consistency!
The Ghanaian video gaming industry and community is full of potential. Every now and then, we see groundbreaking innovations new esports tournaments, fresh game development projects, growing gaming communities, and ambitious plans from stakeholders looking to push the industry forward.
Yet, despite this momentum, there’s a glaring issue: consistency.
It’s a cycle we’ve seen time and time again. A new gaming initiative emerges, gains traction, and then disappears within a year or two. Game developers announce exciting projects that either never reach completion or fade away after launch. Tournaments start strong but don’t return for a second or third edition. Communities form, promise to drive the industry forward, and then dissolve.
Why does this keep happening? Why does the Ghanaian video gaming industry and community struggle to sustain its growth? Let’s break it down.
The Efforts That Exist But It’s Not Enough
To be fair, there have been consistent efforts from various groups trying to push the Ghanaian video gaming industry forward:
- The Esports Association Ghana (EAG) and the Esports Federation Ghana have been working to create structure in the esports space.
- Leti Arts, Ghana’s leading game development studio, has been consistently pushing African storytelling through gaming for years.
- Antrix Community and Game Nerds GH have kept esports and gaming discussions alive through events and engagement.
- GGC (Ghana Gaming Community) has been innovative in its approach to organizing gaming events and tournaments, keeping the competitive spirit alive in Ghana.
- MTN, one of Ghana’s largest telecom companies, once hosted a gaming conference, signaling interest in the space. But after that event, nothing major followed.
Despite these efforts, the Ghanaian video industry still struggles to gain mainstream recognition and long-term stability. Every step forward seems to be followed by a period of stagnation or decline.
The Causes of the Inconsistency
1. Lack of Long-Term Funding and Investment
Gaming requires money—for game development, esports tournaments, gaming events, and media coverage. Many initiatives start with small budgets and struggle to secure long-term funding, causing them to fade out.
2. Poor Infrastructure and High Costs
Ghana’s internet remains expensive, and the infrastructure needed to support game development, esports, and streaming is still lacking. The high cost of gaming PCs, consoles, and internet services makes it difficult for both developers and gamers to stay active.
3. No Structured Support System
The gaming industry lacks strong associations or regulatory bodies to push its growth. Without clear systems of support, many passionate individuals burn out or move on to more stable industries.
4. The Ghanaian Media Is Trying, But More Is Needed
The good news is that there have been some solid efforts to build media coverage in the gaming space. Platforms like:
- GasBros Gaming Network
- Esports Africa News
- VGA Esports News
- MohPlay Inc
…have been actively working to give the gaming industry a voice. However, more visibility is still needed to push gaming into mainstream recognition.
Look at what happened to GamerTV—a gaming show that once had a strong presence but eventually disappeared. Without consistent media coverage and community engagement, the industry struggles to stay relevant.
5. The “Hype Culture” Effect
Many gaming initiatives in Ghana start with massive hype but struggle with long-term engagement. This applies to game development, tournaments, and even gaming communities. Once the excitement fades, many projects lose direction and disappear.
Could Politics Play a Role in Video Gaming’s Growth?
Recently, Sam George, the Minister-designate for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, mentioned his love for FIFA and playing on his PS4. While this was a casual statement, it highlights something important:
Gaming is already part of Ghanaian culture—even among policymakers.
The question is: Will he and other government officials take gaming seriously? If policymakers recognize gaming’s potential, they could:
- Push for investment in esports and game development
- Advocate for better internet access and gaming infrastructure
- Help create gaming-friendly policies
Gaming and eSports are multi-billion-dollar industries worldwide. Ghana has the talent and the passion all it needs is the right support.
The Community Must Step Up—It’s All on Us
While external support is important, the biggest responsibility lies with the Ghanaian video gaming community itself.
- If game developers don’t support each other’s projects, who will?
- If esports players don’t promote their own tournaments, how can we expect sponsors to take notice?
- If gamers don’t attend events, engage in discussions, or push for better gaming opportunities, how will the industry grow?
The hard truth is that many people in the Ghanaian gaming community wait for change to happen instead of actively contributing to it. This mindset needs to shift.
If we want a thriving gaming industry, it’s not just up to organizations or investors—it’s up to every gamer, developer, tournament organizer, and fan.
How the Ghanaian Community Can Help:
- Show up for gaming events – Attend, participate, and invite others. Empty seats kill events.
- Support local game developers – Buy, share, and review their games. If we don’t support our own, who will?
- Engage with gaming content – Follow Ghanaian gaming news, interact with posts, and give feedback.
- Promote Ghanaian eSports and tournaments – Whether you play or not, spread the word. More players = more sponsors.
- Encourage young developers – If someone is trying to build a game, give them support. Motivation is key.
- Push for better infrastructure – Demand better gaming conditions, cheaper internet, and more opportunities.
The gaming industry cannot grow without its community actively driving it forward.
How Do We Fix This?
1. Build Sustainable Funding Models
Instead of relying on one-time sponsorships, the industry needs:
- Subscription models for gaming organizations
- Crowdfunding for game development
- Brand partnerships for esports tournaments
- Government support for game developers
2. Develop a Strong Gaming Association
A central body is needed to:
- Support game developers, esports players, and content creators
- Ensure gaming tournaments are sustainable
- Advocate for gaming industry recognition in Ghana
3. Focus on Long-Term Engagement
Gaming communities need more than just hype. To keep people engaged, we need:
- Monthly tournaments and game jams
- Rewards and incentives for consistent participation
- Collaboration between developers, streamers, and event organizers
4. Improve Local Infrastructure and Accessibility
Gaming should be affordable and accessible.
5. Expand and Support Gaming Media
Gaming news platforms need community and corporate support to grow.
A strong media presence is key to keeping Ghana’s gaming scene relevant and exciting.
The Final Question: Do You Agree?
The Ghanaian video gaming industry and community has talent and ambition—but lacks consistency. Until we fix this issue, we will continue to start over every few years.
Do you agree with this assessment? What do you think are the biggest reasons behind Ghana’s gaming inconsistency?
Let’s have this discussion and work towards solutions together.
Share Your Thoughts in the Comments
Let us know your opinions, experiences, and ideas on how we can push Ghana’s gaming industry forward.
Kwesi
It will all be Well if we don’t give up on ourselves, we come a long way. Consistency is built on persistent and continually efforts. Gaming and Esports first is a Human interaction more that a technology that connects the players so yes… Ghana has some challenges but I believe, we have mature over the years up until now and it will get better with time.
Thanks for highlighting on this
Kwesi Hayford here.
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