The best Ghanaian series on Showmax in 2021

This year Showmax has delivered some of the best local shows for its Ghanaian viewers, from the telenovela Dede and the drama series To Have and To Hold, to Ghanaian-Nigerian co-production Ghana Jollof, the first Showmax Original in West Africa, to beloved remakes like the recently launched investigative drama series Inspector Bediako.

As we end the year, here are the best local shows in 2021 to stream on Showmax.

Dede – Telenovela

Dede follows Adomaa Adjeman in the titular role of Dede, a naïve rural girl, whose big dreams are cut short when she’s “sold off” by her stepmother to work as a domestic help in the home of the wealthy Robertson family. There she falls in love with the youngest Robertson son (Dean Amegashie).

Dede also stars Joselyn Dumas (Shampaign, Tenant of the House) as Dede’s stepmother Felicity; Adjetey Anang (To Have and To Hold, Citation) as Dede’s father; Anita Erskine as the no-nonsense matriarch of the Robertson household; and James Gardiner (Ghana Jollof) as Robertson’s conniving older son.

Dede is directed and produced by multi-award-winning Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso – her first-ever telenovela.

Binge all 200 episodes (and counting) on Showmax.

To Have and To Hold – Drama

Another fan-favourite in Ghana, the drama series To Have and To Hold explores the struggles of women in modern Ghana as they juggle friendships, romantic relationships, and careers.

The series stars Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice and Africa Movie Academy winner Lydia Forson (A Sting in a Tale, The Perfect Picture) as the ambitious and career-driven Akosua, whose marriage of 10-years turns out to be a lie; Africa Movie Academy winner Naa Ashorkor (The Best Picture, Checkmate) as the kind and trusting housewife Enyonam; and fashion icon and Golden Movie Awards winner Zynnell Zuh (When Love Comes Around, Crazy, Lovely, Cool) as Kuukua, a go-getter with a taste for the finer things in life.

To Have and To Hold is helmed by legendary Ghanaian filmmaker Ivan Quashigah (Inspector Bediako, Things We Do for Love, YOLO).

Binge all the 26 episodes of To Have and To Hold now.

Ghana Jollof – Comedy-drama

Launched in October, Ghana Jollof, which is Showmax’s first West African comedy-drama, stars Funnybone and Akah Nnani as two Nigerians who move to Ghana in search of greener pastures. 

The all-star Nigerian cast also includes multi-award-winning comedian Basketmouth, who also executive produces; comedian/actor Buchi; and Uzor  Arukwe, who starred as dreaded crime boss Knight in Sugar Rush.

The equally impressive Ghanaian cast includes Joselyn Dumas; heartthrobs Mawuli Gavor (Chief Daddy) and James Gardiner (Dede); the uncontested ‘Queen of Ghana comedy’, Jacinta Ocansey; popular reality star Portia Freelove; model and actress Brihanna Kinte; veteran actor Jackson Albert Davies (Beasts of No Nation); actress Korkor Oyeba Mensah; and multiple-award-winning comedian/actor Kalybos (Inspector Bediako).

Inside Out – Drama

Adapted from South Africa’s The Housekeepers, Inside Out tells the story of Soraya (Bless Fortune), a young woman who goes undercover as a domestic help so she can fight for justice for her mother who has been framed for a murder she did not commit.

Determined to take the law into her own hands, Soraya enters the lives of the powerful Lartey family as a housekeeper. As she works to outsmart them and uncover the truth, she makes powerful enemies like Maafio Lartey (played by Roselyn Ngissah), who rises from the dead in the second season to exert her revenge, forming an alliance with the equally powerful Lucia (Pascaline Edwards).

Directed by Pascal Amanfo (Cartel: The Genesis), Inside Out also stars multi-award-winning actress Akorfa Edjeani (Azali, Aloe Vera), Edinam Atatsi (Aloe Vera), Jackie Ankrah, Edward Kuffour, and Jeffrey Nortey.

Inspector Bediako – Investigative Drama

This new Ghanaian drama series follows Anthony Woode (Inside Out) as Inspector Bediako Jnr, the son of the legendary Inspector Bediako Snr, who uses smart and creative means to investigate and solve domestic criminal cases, from kidnapping and corruption to murder and robberies, to protect the public from danger.

Inspector Bediako is a remake of the 1990s Ghanaian detective drama series of the same name, which remains one of the most loved TV series ever produced in Ghana.

Directed by Ivan Quashigah (Things We Do for Love, YOLO, To Have and To Hold), Inspector Bediako also stars Brian Angels (The Burial of Kojo), Darlyn Adu-Gyamfi (Black Lady Goddess), Naa Dedei Botchwey, Vincent McCauley (The Things We Do for Love), and Kalybos (Ghana Jollof) with veteran actor Oscar Provencal reprising his role as the legendary Inspector Bediako Snr.