Ghanaian actress and filmmaker Yvonne Nelson has opened up about the hardships she endured in the movie industry, revealing that the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) tried to derail her career. Speaking on The Career Trail program on JoyNews and Joy Learning TV, Yvonne recounted how her assertive nature and willingness to speak out against issues within the industry led to a ban by the association.

She explained that her vocal stance as a young woman in a male-dominated space was not well received. “I was banned by a group of men who call themselves FIPAG. When you’re a woman who speaks up, especially if you’re new in the industry, they don’t like it,” she said. Yvonne believes the ban was an attempt to intimidate her, destroy her dreams, and silence her voice.

Refusing to be defeated, Yvonne took control of her own path by launching her own production company, YN Productions. With the support of individuals like Kelvin Kobiri, who later went into ministry, she produced her first few films. She mentioned that Kobiri, alongside filmmaker Abdul Salam, believed in her talent and funded her early projects.

Despite this bold step, Yvonne faced further setbacks. One of the most devastating incidents occurred when her debut film was stolen during the editing process. Armed robbers broke into the editor’s studio and took all the hard drives, resulting in a total loss of the completed footage. Yvonne suspects the act was deliberate sabotage by individuals still bitter about her continued presence in the industry. “They knew I had been banned, and they wondered why I was still pushing forward with production. I believe it was hate-fueled,” she stated.

Undeterred, she and her team reshot the entire film, incurring additional expenses. Her resilience has since paid off, with Yvonne successfully producing 14 films, including Kotoka and Heels and Sneakers. She also revealed that her upcoming movie, Summer, is set to premiere soon.

Reflecting on her career, Yvonne described the film industry as a complex space filled with both greatness and toxicity. She stressed that without mental strength, survival in the industry is difficult. “I’ve seen it all — the hate, the support, the setbacks. It hasn’t been an easy journey,” she noted.

In the next part of her interview, airing April 5, Yvonne will discuss her roles as an author and school owner, shedding more light on her multifaceted career.