In the heart of Accra where stories once flickered across giant screens and laughter echoed into the night, a different story unfolds now; one of quiet, more uncertain, yet deeply human.

There was a time when going to the cinema was an event. It was where friendships were strengthened, families bonded and strangers became a community, if only for a few hours.

At cinemas like the Roxy, Rex, Orion, Globe, Opera, Palladium Royal, Kalamazoo, Miami and Regal, among others, people did not just watch films, they shared moments.

Today, those moments feel distant and a visit by The Spectator revealed a totally different story.

At the Roxy Cinema, the transformation was impossible to ignore. The once lively space has taken on a new life; one shaped not by entertainment, but by survival.

Under simple, makeshift shelters, women prepare meals over open fires. Nearby, colourful clothes hang across long wooden benches, the same benches that once held eager cinema-goers waiting for the show to begin.

Buckets, basins and cooking pots are neatly arranged in corners, turning what used to be a place of escape into something far more practical: a place to live and to work.

For those who now occupy the space, this is not about replacing cinema, it is about meeting daily needs.

Not far away, the story at Rex Cinema unfolds differently, but leads to the same conclusion.

At the entrance of the Rex Cinema, the bold sign still announces its name, as if holding on to its identity. But behind that name, the purpose has changed.

Where people once queued for tickets, Ghanaian-themed items now hang for sale. A Black Stars jersey sways gently at the entrance, welcoming not movie lovers, but customers.

Inside, glimpses through glass doors reveal stacked goods and household items. The cinema has quietly transitioned into a storage and trading space.

At Orion Cinema, the entrance to the main cinema hall has been locked but the front view is filled with newspaper vendors, black market operators and food stuff vendors.

Across Ghana, many of these once-beloved spaces have slowly slipped into similar states.  These spaces are either abandoned, repurposed or simply forgotten.

Years ago, under the Ghana Film Industry Corporation, cinemas were central to social life. They were places where stories, both local and foreign, helped shape identity and imagination. But times have changed.

Mr Bernard Tagoe, a caretaker at Roxy Cinema, for the past eight years, spoke to The Spectator candidly about the situation.

“Anything can happen, if the owners come today and say everyone should leave, we’ll have to go. So I always remind them to be ready,” he stated.

He noted that some of the women cook and sell food to earn a living, while others simply need a place to rest.

He said a monthly fee of GH¢100 is taken to pay for property rates and other expenses, adding that, “receipts of such payments have been safely kept for the future.”

Today, entertainment fits into the palm of a hand. With mobile phones and streaming platforms, the need to gather in one place to watch a film has faded.

“Now, everything is on the phone,” the caretaker reflected. “Back then, it was different.”

And yet, even in this changing landscape, there is a quiet effort to hold on to remember, and perhaps, to rebuild.

A recent visit by the National Film Authority (NFA), led by its Executive Director, Kafui Danku, has brought renewed attention to these forgotten spaces.

Touring sites including the Orion Cinema, the team encountered scenes that were difficult to ignore.

Describing one such visit as ‘heartbreaking,’ Ms Danku’s words reflected not just the physical state of the buildings, but the emotional weight of what has been lost.

She highlighted the urgency of intervention and the need to preserve these cultural landmarks before they are entirely lost.

She said plans were underway to reclaim and restore some of these cinemas, adding that the vision was to transform them into modern film centres and creative spaces that served today’s generation while preserving yesterday’s legacy.

 “Our goal is clear, to stimulate private investment, expand cinema infrastructure and make film accessible to all Ghanaians,” she said.

Ms Danku described the plans of the NFA as an ambitious goal that carries promise for jobs, creativity and cultural renewal.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

Not many lives tell a story as seamless and inspiring as that of the Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen, a man whose journey from the classroom to the pulpit has been marked by dedication, humility and an unwavering commitment to service.

Born on April 18, 1956 into a deeply rooted Methodist family, his early life was shaped by faith, discipline and service.

Exactly a week today when he celebrated his 70^th anniversary, Very Rev. Aboagye Orgen, reflected on God’s goodness and the strength to work as a vessel of God to impact on the lives of people.

As the son of Rev. Albert Emmanuel Kwamina Orgen and Mrs Hannah Orgen, both of blessed memory, he grew up in an environment where ministry was not just a calling but a way of life.

Moving across communities such as Winneba, Asante Akyim Bompata and Mankessim, young Joshua absorbed values that would later define his path and outlook on life.

He was not spared the life that children of ministers usually go through regarding their appointments various parts of the globe.

He began his secondary education at The Gambia High School following his father’s missionary assignment that took him to The Gambia.

He returned to Ghana to continue at the Aggrey Memorial Zion Secondary School in Cape Coast, an experience that broadened his worldview, exposed him to diverse cultures and strengthened his academic foundation in profound ways.

Before answering the call to full-time ministry, Very Rev. Orgen began as a teacher, a role that would quietly shape his pastoral approach for years to come.

Trained at Wesley College, he taught at the Methodist Junior Secondary Schools in Asante Bekwai and Agona Swedru, nurturing young minds and instilling discipline.

Those early years in the classroom sharpened his ability to guide, counsel and connect with people, qualities that would later define his pastoral leadership.

But in 1982, his life took a defining turn. He enrolled at Trinity Theological College, answering a higher calling to serve in God’s vineyard.

By 1985, he had completed his Diploma in Theology, stepping fully into ministry with a heart prepared for service and a mind equipped for leadership. His quest for knowledge did not end there.

He later pursued a first degree at the University of Cape Coast and further advanced his education with a master’s degree from GIMPA, reflecting his belief in continuous growth and learning.

Over the decades, his work in the Methodist Church Ghana has reflected both depth and breadth.

Beginning his pastoral journey in Abora Aboase and Akwatia, he steadily rose through the ranks, eventually serving as superintendent minister in several key circuits including Essiama, Dunkwa-on-Offin, New Tafo-Kumasi, Dzorwulu, North Kaneshie, Asamankese, Dansoman South and Dome.

In each of these places, he left a lasting imprint of strong leadership, spiritual renewal and community development.

What sets Very Rev. Orgen apart is not just the number of places he has served, but the impact he made in each of them. Known for his calm demeanour, but very firm, discipline and deep sense of responsibility, he has consistently nurtured congregations, strengthened church structures and inspired spiritual growth.

His leadership style, often described as both firm and compassionate, has earned him respect across the circuits he has served.

One of the most defining chapters of his ministry was his role in Lay Ministries.

At the Freeman Centre in Kumasi, he dedicated four years to training lay leaders, equipping ordinary church members with the skills, knowledge and confidence to take active roles in ministry.

This contribution, though often behind the scenes, has had a far-reaching impact on the growth and sustainability of the church.

Beyond his clerical duties, Very Rev. Orgen remains grounded in simple but meaningful pursuits. His interest in farming and building construction reflects a man who values growth, patience and legacy, principles that mirror his approach to ministry.

These passions also reveal his practical side, one that balances spiritual responsibilities with real-world engagement.

He is also known for his love for football, particularly his unwavering support for Manchester United, a detail that adds a relatable and human touch to his otherwise disciplined and structured life.

Today, the story of Very Rev. Joshua Kwaku Aboagye Orgen is not just about positions held or years served. It is about a life of influence, one that began in the classroom, matured in the pulpit, and continues to inspire through example. His journey reflects resilience, purpose and a deep commitment to service.

As he is honoured and celebrated, one thing stands clear: his life is a testament to the power of faith, dedication and selfless service.

Through decades of ministry, he has touched countless lives, mentored many and contributed significantly to the growth of the Methodist Church Ghana.

Indeed, his legacy is not only in the places he has served but in the lives he has transformed.