A new study by researchers from the Department of Communication Design at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has revealed that the absence of a clear national ethical framework for documentary filmmaking in Ghana is creating significant challenges for filmmakers.

The study, published in African Identities, explored ethical decision-making in documentary practice, focusing on the dilemmas filmmakers encounter and how they navigate them.

“We sought to understand the ethical issues or dilemmas filmmakers face when filming and producing non fictional film, and how they manage those situations, what principles they actually adopt to address those ethical issues during the phases of production,” said Emmanuel Dankwah, the lead researcher and a PhD candidate.

The findings show that filmmakers often struggle with issues of consent, cultural sensitivity, and representation, particularly in communal settings where authority extends beyond the subjects of their respective films. In this context, ethical decisions are shaped by both African communal values and Western ethical frameworks.

A follow-up study also examined the relationships filmmakers build with their subjects, including “the dynamics they encounter before they actually contact participants to film… how they build their relationships from pre-production to post-production.”

According to the research, a lack of prior engagement with communities can lead to resistance and mistrust. In one instance, a filmmaker faced backlash after filming without consulting community leaders, forcing them to suspend production and seek approval.

To navigate these challenges, many filmmakers rely on informal strategies such as consulting community leaders, using intermediaries, and building relationships before filming begins “Majority of the filmmakers spend some time with the subjects, and then build those relationships before they even start filming making sure they build   corporation and access when filming”, Mr. Dankwah explained.

However, the study argues that these individual approaches, while helpful, are not sufficient to ensure consistent ethical standards across the industry. In many cases, filmmakers depend on personal judgement or informal practices, leading to inconsistencies in ethical decision-making which puts participants at risk or harm in the near future. One filmmaker accentuated the gravity of such occurrences after filming “We had to relocate the family... We were just so lucky that we didn’t end up in court.”

To address these gaps, the researchers propose the development of a context-specific code of ethics for documentary filmmaking in Ghana, one that reflects local cultural values, communal consent practices, and ethical storytelling standards.

They emphasise the need for stronger institutional support, noting that while provisions exist, “a code of ethics to regulate filmmaking in Ghana… hasn’t been enacted yet.”

The study further recommends integrating ethical training and reflection into film education, establishing clear guidelines for community engagement and informed consent, and strengthening collaboration between filmmakers, regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and cultural leaders.