Speaking at the maiden National Film Dialogue in Accra on Tuesday, September 16, Dr. Amoakohene said he quickly formed a committee to revive the local film industry and reposition it to boost the creative sector in the region.

“I say that one of the key things that put Ashanti Region on the map is the creatives, artistes, rich eco-tourism centres and our culture. From the word go, I didn’t waste time in ensuring that we fixed some of the challenges in this sector.

“I realised that the industry was full of destructive competition instead of having a complementary collaboration to project the Kumawood industry,” he explained.

The Minister noted that on several occasions he personally attended meetings to help unite stakeholders, stressing that with the support of the Tourism Minister and the National Film Authority, many of the industry’s problems were resolved.

According to him, these interventions culminated in one of the best performances during the Ashantifest celebrations and led to the establishment of the Kumawood Ashanti Film Industry Secretariat.

“It is a robust secretariat now to mentor, groom and embark on projects that will tell our story well, project our culture and be able to promote our region and country,” he added.

Dr. Amoakohene also proposed that Ghanaian films should be made freely accessible to Senior High School students to cultivate early interest in local content.

“As we also work on generating revenue, one key thing that has come up is that we need to invest. Most of the young ones, especially those in SSS and downwards, are losing touch with our local content and that is one area we should put emphasis on.

“At that level, we can offer it to them for free, so that they will get addicted to the local content. Once they get to the university where they can pay the 20 cedis or 50 cedis, we can chase them there because by then, they are already addicted to the local content,” he suggested.

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According to the Minister, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to incorporate sectors such as health, fashion, and creative arts into school activities in order to inspire and nurture students through local culture and talent.

Dr. Amoakohene explained that the collaboration will see Kumawood actors and creatives featured in school entertainment sessions to spark student interest and engagement.

He also disclosed plans for a partnership between the fashion industry and Kumawood to produce costumes for film sets, adding that such collaborations would strengthen local industries and open doors for young talents.

“The idea is to promote Ghanaian pride among young people. When we teach them to value and love local content early, they’ll grow up with respect for their identity and contribute positively to nation-building,” he emphasized.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Kala Kumasi appealed to the president to reward their dedication and efforts during the election campaign by appointing them to government positions.

She remarked that their contributions, which included producing a campaign advert highlighting the party’s manifesto promises, played a crucial role in rallying support for the NDC and securing its victory in the December elections.

“We worked tirelessly to ensure that the message of the NDC reached every corner of the country. From producing an advert to actively campaigning, we gave our all. We believe it’s only fair that our efforts are recognized with appointments in the new government,” she stated.

The calls come in the wake of ministerial and government appointments as President Mahama officially begins his tenure of office.

The appeal has sparked conversations on social media, with some supporters agreeing that grassroots contributors deserve recognition, while others argue that government appointments should prioritize expertise and experience.

In a recent viral interview, Vivian explained that while the industry continues to produce movies, it has become increasingly difficult to bring together many top actors for a single project due to their busy schedules.

“Right now, everyone is busy. Even I am about to start a new project,” she said. “If you call anyone, they are all occupied. I recently worked on a project and tried to reach Nana Ama McBrown, but she was tied up with something else. I called Mathilda, and she was also on set. Last week, I needed another actress, but she couldn’t make it because she was also on set.”

She dismissed the notion that Kumawood is struggling, attributing the perceived slowdown to the bustling schedules of its stars. “It’s not that there’s an issue with Kumawood or the industry. Everyone is just busy,” she clarified.

Vivian also expressed optimism about the future of Kumawood, revealing plans for a major project aimed at bringing top talents such as Agya Koo and Lil Win together.

“It’s just a matter of getting everyone at once. But we’ll definitely be doing something big to show that Kumawood is still here and thriving,” she added.

Her comments come amidst ongoing concerns about the state of the Kumawood industry, with critics citing challenges like economic hardships, lack of support, and even allegations of witchcraft as possible factors.

Vivian’s reassurance serves as a positive message to fans, affirming that Kumawood remains vibrant and ready to shine again.

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The controversy began when actresses Awo Yaa and Portia Asare openly discussed spiritual attacks and internal conflicts within the industry in an interview.

They lamented the disrespect they faced from younger colleagues and the spiritual ordeals they encountered on set.

Their revelations, however, did not sit well with some members of the Kumawood fraternity, who criticized them for washing the industry’s dirty laundry in public.

These critics argued that, every profession has its challenges, and if spiritual attacks do exist, they should be considered part of the job’s hazards and dealt with privately.

Veteran actress, Christiana Awuni further stoked the flames by using unprintable words against Portia Asare, accusing her of arrogance and suggesting that her comments were hypocritical.

In response, several Kumawood actresses, including Kala Kumasi and producer Miracle, have publicly defended Portia Asare and condemned Awuni’s remarks.

They criticized Awuni for what they perceived as a personal attack rather than a constructive discussion on the industry’s issues.

Kala Kumasi emphasized that everyone has different experiences, and individuals should be allowed to share their stories without fear of backlash.

She also called on her colleagues to ceasefire and instead focus on reviving the struggling Kumawood industry, which has faced numerous challenges in recent years.

In a recent outburst, Awuni addressed Portia’s complaints about the attitude of younger actors in the industry, labeling her comments as hypocritical.

Awuni stated that Portia’s conduct on set has often been arrogant, and her unfriendly demeanor has isolated her from others in the industry.

She further criticized Portia for badmouthing the Ghanaian film industry in interviews, calling it unfortunate for someone who gained fame and exposure from the very same industry.

According to Awuni, Portia’s behavior is contributing to the decline of the already struggling film sector, and she warned that speaking negatively about the industry that made her successful could result in doom.

This public spat between the two actresses has sparked conversations about professionalism and respect within the Ghanaian entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues weighing in on the issue.

Christina Awuni’s comment is a response to Portia’s lamentation that ‘juju’ selfishness and wickedness among actors have contributed to the struggling state of Ghana’s movie industry, particularly Kumawood.

Speaking on the matter, Kwaku Manu acknowledged that while he doesn’t personally believe in juju, he recognizes its existence and the fact that some of his colleagues do practice it.

“I don’t believe in juju, but I know it exists,” he said. “If you can pray for protection, then do so. There are traditional believers who pray to their gods, and I’ve seen communities pacifying these gods since my childhood. For instance, in New Edubiase, there’s a river where people don’t fish in, and women on their menstrual cycle are forbidden to cross it” he stated.

Kwaku Manu noted that, some individuals visit shrines just to harm those they see as competitors.

“Some people visit these places with the intention of causing someone else’s downfall. They don’t even sleep; they can go to the cemetery at dawn just to hinder someone’s progress. Even pastors are engaged in spiritual battles.”

“There are spiritual forces at play everywhere, not just in Kumawood. The world isn’t just about eating and enjoying life.”

Kwaku Manu also stressed the importance of laws and structure in the film industry, noting that unity alone cannot bring order and success.

“Unity doesn’t guarantee orderliness and success, but laws can. If we enact laws to budget and sponsor movie productions in the country, actors’ personal sentiments would matter less.”

Kwaku Manu maintained that, “Juju is real, so protect yourself spiritually if you can.”

He made these remarks during an interview with DJ Slim on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM.

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In an interview with Ahodwo TV, Portia attributed the decline of the Kumawood industry to internal conflicts and spiritual sabotage.

She explained that, the lack of unity and animosity among colleagues have negatively affected both the production and quality of Kumawood films.

“People are asking why Kumawood is struggling. It’s because of hatred! Some use spiritual means to undermine their colleagues instead of supporting one another,” she stated.

Portia shared personal experiences of being targeted by peers who employed spiritual means to hinder her progress.

“People I trusted and used to dine with were among those who tried to harm me using witchcraft. I was shocked. If you destroy me, you can’t replace me. Each person’s work is unique, so why resort to such measures?” she quizzed.

While she refrained from naming specific individuals involved, her revelations have raised concerns among Kumawood fans, who lament the industry’s decline.

 

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According to Zola, the accident occurred when Lil Win attempted to evade a crowd that had surrounded his car at a traffic intersection.

He said when the light turned green, Lil Win accelerated and swerved a tricycle known in local parlance as ‘Aboboyaa’, resulting in a head-on collision with another vehicle.

Speaking to Andy Dosty on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Zola said Lil Win is fine.

“Doctors allowed him to go to the cinema,” he stated, addressing concerns about Lil Win’s appearance at the premiere of his movie “A Country Called Ghana” with his head bandaged.

“Even after the incident, he [Lil Win] walked himself,” Zola emphasized.

Zola also noted that, Lil Win and his team are in contact with the family of the passengers in the other vehicle, who are receiving treatment.

Lil Win, a Ghanaian actor and musician, was involved in a car accident on May 25, 2024, in the Amakom suburb of Kumasi.

They were rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The accident occurred while Lil Win was on a radio tour promoting his latest movie, “A Country Called Ghana,” scheduled for premiering in Kumasi on the same day.

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In an interview on Adom FM’s Work and Happiness show, Lil Win said the fraudsters posed as lottery agents.

“They took my GH¢3,000… I don’t say it too much, it happened to me and some rich people too. It has been a long time. My former manager Zack made it happened” Lil Win revealed.

The actor explained that, he was approached by someone claiming to be the “Kumasi Police Commander” with a promising lotto number. Believing the offer was legitimate, Lil Win agreed to participate and was asked to send money to secure the supposed winning numbers.

“I was going to shoot an ad in Accra and someone called that he is the Kumasi commander and that he had a lotto number for me to stake so he gave me a different number to call, and I did, but the person requested GH¢3,000 Cedis and GH¢5,000 respectively.”

Lil Win continued, “So I hanged up and called the Commander back to let him know this is the matter, and he still asked me to send it”.

Despite initially having doubts, Lil Win sent GH₵3,000 with the hope of receiving the winning lotto numbers.

However, he soon realized that he had fallen victim to a scam.

“When I called, he told me the Two-Sure has finished, so unless I add GH₵ 2,000 for him to get me another. That was when I realized it was a scam,” Lil Win recounted.

Meanwhile, to rectify the situation, Lil Win sought assistance from MTN and the Police, but the process was complex and lengthy.

“It was not long until they called Akrobeto and Vivian Jill. With Vivian Jill, they even signed a contract, and he told her he was on his way to Kumasi, but he never arrived after she paid for transportation and for some ‘police arrest” Lil Win added.

The actor’s revelation comes ahead of the premiere of his new film, “A Country Called Ghana,” showcasing his resilience and determination to overcome challenges in both his personal and professional life.

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This comes after his colleague, Don Little, shared a poster of Salinko which looked like a funeral announcement on his social media handle.

However, on it was ‘What a Shock’ with the details of Bantama Kwasi Boakye aged 36.

Additionally, Don Little’s caption included three laughing emojis. 

This, along with the fake name, should have signalled to fans there was nothing amiss but some fans were still worried.

Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV, Salinko explained that the poster is from the set of a TV series he is working on, explaining why the details did not match.

He stated that any news of his supposed death should be disregarded.

“I’m not dead as reported. We are shooting a TV series and there is a scene where we had to make a poster announcing my death but Don Little shared it on his page and it went viral.

“I want to urge my fans and beloved people to be calm. But if there are such plans I cancel them in the name of Jesus and it shall never come to pass,” he declared.

The hilarious clip shows the boy standing with his family who can’t stop laughing at the uncanny resemblance.

In the video, the boy smiles as he is playfully teased by his family members who point out the striking similarity between him and the popular actor.

The video has gained significant attention on TikTok, leaving many users struggling to differentiate between the young boy and the real Yaw Dabo.

Initially, some social media users were perplexed and believed the video was an old clip of the award-winning actor from his younger days.

However, upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the young boy was actually a lookalike.

Despite this, the young boy has captured the hearts of many, and some people jokingly suggested that every Ghanaian celebrity would discover their lookalike before the end of the year.

Over the past few months, several Ghanaian celebrities have had their own doppelgangers surface on social media.

@queenchainztv #worldwide #fbyツ #goviral #Treand #lookalikechallenge ♬ original sound – queenchainz❤️✨

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She explained that during her portrayal of a witch in previous movies, she was given bread filled with red oil to chew, and her serious and convincing performance caught the attention of Danfo BA, who then chose her as the best candidate for the Kyeiwaa role.

“When I played the role of witch in some movies I had starred in, I was given bread stuffed with red oil. If you saw me chewing the bread, you could tell that I was serious about the acting work. This made Danfo BA see me as the best candidate for the Kyeiwaa role,” she said.

Kyeiwaa Tutugyagu, who had travelled to America in search of better opportunities, returned to Ghana and credited her previous minor roles for preparing her for the big role in Kyeiwaa.

Her outstanding performance in the movie led to her immense popularity, with people pointing at her in admiration wherever she went and giving her praise for her excellent portrayal of the character.

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The likes of Don Little, Dr Likee, Michael Afranie, Matilda Asare, Oteele, Kyinkyinaa Twan, Papa Kumasi, Wayoosi, Otali, Okomfo Kolegae and many others would star in the play powered by Adom TV.

Watch the play below or click here to watch from our Facebook page directly.

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Haruna Asamoah, known in the acting circles as Baba Fabregas, passed on in a hotel in Nigeria on August 14.

His death was announced by his brother who intimated that he passed on in his sleep after complaining of severe headache the previous night.

In an interview, Blessing noted that his brother lodged in a hotel after promotional activation gig he had run for a company in Nigeria.

After eating a meal prepared by the hotel’s restaurant, he is said to have complained of feeling ill and retired to bed.

However, he was motionless when his colleagues arrived to wake him up the next day.

His brother revealed arrangements are being made to transport his body back to Ghana for postmortem and burial.

Meanwhile, Kumawood actors have thronged his home in Kumasi to commiserate with the grieving family.

Actor Sumsum Ahuofedua, who worked closely with late Fabregas, was spotted uncontrollable.

Baba Fabregas is the seventh Kumawood actor to pass on in 2022.

His death comes after the demise of other entertainers such as Psalm Adjeteyfio, Patrick Safo, Osei Tutu, Prince Yawson (Waakye), Ice Kenkey, and Maa Rita of Efiewura fame.

The thespians, mostly males, thronged Sakora Wonoo in the Ashanti Region to observe the final funeral rites.

Actors Big Akwes, Nana Yeboah, Shifu, Oteele, Michael Afranie, Oboy Siki, Kyekyeku, Matilda Asare and a host of others took their turns to file past the body.

The actors defied the stereotype that men don’t cry when they let tears freely trickle down their cheeks as they remember fond memories of their colleague.

Actor Shifu had to be escorted out of the premises while he was wailing uncontrollably.

The funeral was held at Sakora Wonoo funeral grounds ahead of his interment at the ground’s cemetery.

Thanksgiving service will be held today, July 29 at the SDA church in the district.

Osei Tutu passed on on May 17, after suffering a brief illness.

He was 48.

He is survived by a wife and son.

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He is reported to have died yesterday, June 9. His cause of death is yet to be established.

While details of his death remain sketchy, he is the third Kumawood actor to pass on in a space of one month.

Ice Kenkey rose to fame following his appearance in sitcom, Concert Party. He starred with the likes of Bob Okala, Agya Koo et al.  

Prior to his demise, Ice Kenkey was the founder of Powerlight Concert Party and also worked as a backup player for African Hereos band.

Having worked in the industry for over two decades, he had many awards to his credit.

The awards include 1999 Runner Up position in the Key Soap Concert Party Show Awards Night. He also won the Best Entertainer. Best Comedian Second runners up 2000.

The ace actor, who featured in many Ghanaian movies back in the days, died on September 30, 2021, at the County Hospital at Abrepo in Kumasi.

He was ill for some time before his unfortunate passing.

He was 82. He left behind nine children and a wife.

His funeral on Saturday was attended by some Kumawood filmmakers who were there to pay their last respects to the departed actor.

His body was laid in state before subsequent internment on Saturday.

Brenya was known for his performances in popular movies like Kumasi Yonkoo, Asem, Odasanii and a host of others.

Beyond movies, he owned Ohenenana Guest House at Bohyen, and also owned the Kumasiman Preparatory School at Bohyen.

The thespian, who has been a household name in the Kumawood industry, has demanded for her dead body to be featured in a movie.

As part of plans to make her wish come true, she said in an interview on Kingdom FM that she has contacted a movie producer to shoot scenes from her funeral.

She wants her body to be captured while she lays in state, and shooting should continue until she is buried.

She made the disclosure while answering a question on whether or not she will quit acting.

According to her, acting is her flesh and blood, and despite not having anything to account for her service since the last 49 years, she would always uphold the title of an actress.

“That’s the reality of my life after acting for 49 years. People feel that I’m a star so I’m always rich. As I’m talking to you, I’m broke.

“Producers and directors don’t call me anymore. If they do, I would have gotten something small in my pocket. Unfortunately, they have neglected me,” she added.

“People thought that I don’t have problems but truly I had problems but I don’t have friends and so I don’t tell people my problems so whatever happens to me, I am in my room.”

The actress said while growing up, she wanted to be a judge or a secretary but she did not achieve her dream because she got pregnant the very first time she had sex with her first boyfriend.

She said her mother beat her up for disgracing her and out of pain, she run away from home ending the dream she had always nursed.

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He said some filmmakers have resorted to selling phones for survival and leaving the ‘dying’ industry to its fate.

The actor explained that with the current transition from CDs to digital market, most non-contemporary producers have been found wanting, and rather than starve, they have injected their monies into different ventures.

One of such is the phone business. He said some producers travel far and wide to buy goods, in a bid to gather quick returns.

His claim was corroborated by colleague Clement Bonney, widely known in Showbiz as Mr Beautiful, during a discussion with host Sister Sandy of the Ahosepe Xtra show.

On how to revive the industry, Mr Asamoah explained that filmmakers must be educated that the digital space is a very good market, adding that transitions are inevitable.

Adding his voice, actor Akrobeto said the movie industry can struggle, but it will never die.

The comic actor has been off the screens in recent years, having previously been one of the people’s favourites.

There were allegations from Agya Koo’s management that Kumawood producers, directors and actors had a meeting to sideline him and cut him off the scenes.

But Mr Nyamekye, in an interview with Kumasi based Angel FM, denied allegations levelled against Kumawood producers about the downfall of Agya Koo.

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According to evangelist Samuel Nyamekye, Kumawood producers, directors and actors never plotted to bring Agya Koo down but rather devised a new strategy.

“Ike, the issue is we (producers), directors and the actors had a meeting to discuss how to work effectively when Agya Koo is not in Ghana. Agya Koo was a very good actor and Ghanaians always bought movies which he has featured Agya Koo because without Agya Koo they won’t buy the movie,” Mr Nyamekye explained.

“Due to that, Agya Koo became popular even outside Ghana so sometimes Ghanaians in other countries will invite him for shows and movies. When he (Agya Koo) travels, Kumawood producers, directors and actors cannot work because we have to wait for Agya Koo to come,” he said.

Mr Nyamekye added: “We the producers decided to take a risk and the risk was to work without Agya Koo. That is when he is not in Ghana we can still work but when he is not in Ghana then we can’t work without him. So the meeting was to meet the actors to reduce their price so that we can use them to take the risk but not to sideline Agya Koo.”

Akwasi Boadi, popularly known as Akrobeto noted that although several factors come to play in the decline of the movie industry, none could be compared to “dumsor”.

Speaking in an interview on United Showbiz, the television personality said the effects of dumsor cannot be downplayed.

“Power outage was a heavy burden on us. It held the key to ensure that the industry deteriorated.

“It affected us from the head to the other parts of the body. If any animal begins to perish, it starts from the head. This power outage did not help our works in any way.”

According to Akrobeto, movies produced were not purchased by consumers since they did not have a means of watching it due to the inconsistent power supply.

The ace actor explained that “Kumawood movie lovers who decided to purchase their movies at the end of the week ceased to do so because they had no electricity at home to watch these movies at the end of the day.

“These actions are what have led to the fall of Kumawood movie industry.

“They gradually lead the industry to what it is at the moment,” he added.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kwasi Yeboah, Suntreso District Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that the police had not yet arrested anybody involved in the act.

Andrew Ntul Mensah, known in Kumawood as ‘Scorpion’, sustained gunshot wounds during the attack in his house and is receiving medical care at a health facility.

He said the police had visited the crime scene and investigations were ongoing.

Mensah and his family were attacked in their house on Thursday dawn by unknown persons who fired warning shots indiscriminately and robbed the residents at gunpoint.

He was hit by a bullet in his thigh and left chest.

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An eyewitness said the robbers entered the house through a window and attacked the victims.

He said when ‘Scorpion’ who heard the unusual noise in the house decided to open his door to see what was going on, but he was met with a bullet and fell in a pool of blood.

The police patrol team, which had received a distress call, went to the scene but the robbers had already left the place.

According to reports, he was attacked in his house at Aburaso New Site near Kumasi in the Ashanti region at about 2:40 a.m on Thursday.

Officers from the Suntreso District Police Command rushed to the scene following a distress call and found Scorpion in a pool of blood in the said house.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the perpetrators used a car jerk to expand portions of a burglar-proof and gained access to the main building and went straight to the victim’s door.

Scorpion’s brother, Emmanuel Ntul, who confirmed this to the media, said his brother was shot in the right thigh and left ribs by one of the gun-wielding men during a struggle.

“He was with his wife and children when the incident happened. They forced the door open during a struggle and according to him, one of them was ordered to shoot at my brother,” he said.

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Mr Ntul indicated that his brother sustained severe injuries because the robbers used a sharp object to hit his left ribs.

He said they rushed Scorpion to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and is receiving treatment there.

Meanwhile, police have since retrieved the jerk, three empty shells of spent 9mm cartridges, and a nose mask as part of their investigations.

A popular Kumawood actor has shared an emotional story of how he was an agent of Satan for so many years.

Akwesi Antwi, popularly known as Ras Nene, said he become notorious at a very young age due to his connection with Lucifer.

“I worked for Satan for many years, no pay, no gain,” he told fellow colleague, Kwaku Manu in an interview monitored by Adomonline.com.

At a very young age, Ras Nene said he was making good money from selling drugs like marijuana and cocaine at Tafo, a suburb in the Ashanti Regional capital Kumasi.

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Strangely, he said he was never caught by the police because he had the protection of Satan.

The popular actor noted that, he and his gang were so powerful they could smoke marijuana known in local parlance as ‘wee’ in front of the Tafo Police Station.

“I was a suspected criminal but the police did not have any evidence to arrest me. When they did, Satan told me what to say and I was set free,” Ras Nene said.

What broke the bond, the popular actor said, was when he was approached by a producer, Jones Agyemang to shoot a movie.

“After my first shoot, I was paid good money so I decided to get off the streets and do a professional work,” he said.

Ras Nene said he has launched a campaign against drug abuse and is educating the youth especially in the Ashanti region against social vices because he is a changed man.

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The minister in a Facebook post revealed the actor was unanimously nominated by members of Kumawood [the local movie industry] after months of deliberation.

The actor took his appointment letter as Tourism Ambassador on Wednesday, February 6.

Madam Afeku stated, “Speaking with Bill, he revealed he was going to ensure the promotion of Ghana to the world through quality movies, and enhance the business aspect of film making to attract investors.”

Bill Asamoah is also the President for the Ashanti Regional Chapter of the Ghana Actors Guild. The actor is known for his roles in Kumawood movies like Sundiata, Kae (Remember) and The Mighty One.

According to the minister, Mr. Asamoah also intends to promote Government policies and agenda through Ghanaian films.

In 2017, the Ghana Tourism Authority under the auspices of the Tourism Ministry unveiled 30 ambassadors from different aspects of the creative industry to spearhead the “See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana” campaign.

Some of these ambassadors included, SP Kofi Sarpong, Fancy Gadam, D-Black, Reggie and Bollie, Nana Ampadu, Agya Koo, Okyeame Kwame, Sena Degadu and Lucky Mensah.

Madam Afeku, said the aim of the Tourism Ambassador programme, was to partner influential persons to help drive tourism growth in and outside the country.

In her Facebook post, she assured Bill Asamoah, the Nana Addo-led government has not neglected the people of Kumasi in terms of Tourism, Arts and Culture development.

“We are trying our very best to make the industry attractive for both local and foreign investors to want to invest,” she added.

RELATED STORY: Revealed: How Kumawood actor died – Police account

He explained that if the industry was thriving, Blinks would not be where he was at the time of his stabbing.

The 35-year-old Kumawood actor was stabbed to death Wednesday morning at Sawaba Akrem in the Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region.

The Manhyia Divisional Police Commander ACP Kwaku Buah said Abass lost his life after he was stabbed twice by the brothers of his master when he was settling a fight between them and his master’s wife.

RELATED STORY: Kumawood actor stabbed to death [Photos]

He said Abass gave up the ghost as he was being rushed to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for treatment.

The police have mounted a manhunt for the suspects whose names have been given as Abass and Tijan.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at KATH morgue pending autopsy.

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Reacting to the issue on Adom FM’s midmorning show, Work & Happiness, Kwaku Manu said movie industry has lost a great talent.

“Blinks was not just an actor, he was also a makeup artiste and combined the two anytime we were on location to shoot a movie,” he stated.

Kwaku Manu recalled how he linked the late Blinks to movie producer, Jones Agyemang which begun their friendship.

“Blinks was like a brother so his death really hit me. I’m convinced if we were working, this wouldn’t have happened to him,” he bemoaned.

The comic actor said in the past week, he felt something bad was going to happen and cautioned his colleagues but did not know it was really close to him.

Kwaku Manu who is hoping to be a pastor cautioned Ghanaians, especially actors and actresses, to be extra vigilant during the yuletide.

Speaking to Nana Romeo on Accra Fm, Sumsum said his ugly face scares most actresses from kissing him in movies, but it’s that same big eyes that have brought him into the limelight as an actor.

“The only actress I have kissed wasn’t a star but I later had an opportunity to kiss Vivian Jill in a movie, which she needed a child and I had to sleep with her for her to conceive but she later turned me down and dodged me when I tried kissing her. I did not ask her why she dodged me because I didn’t believe in myself either. Perhaps they think since I have big eyes, I might knock them with it which scares them away”. He said.

He later expressed his disappointment in discrimination from actresses when it comes to kissing in movies. Sunsum who used to hide from people because of his big eyes revealed that most female especially those based in Accra fail to kiss him and few of his colleagues in the Kumawood movie industry but accept kisses from majid and Co.

“I watched a movie, liwin was directed to kiss Jackie Appiah but she denied him. Assuming it was Majid, she would have kissed him passionately with no qualms.”

Kumawood actor, Yaw Adu famously known as Sumsum has said that actresses do not kiss him in movies and he doesn’t know why they always deny his kisses even when directed by producers.

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Kumawood actor, Akwasi Boadi, known as Akrobeto has said that no amount of prayers from the founder and leader of the International God’s Way Church, ‘Angel’ Bishop Daniel Obinim can save the dying Kumawood movie industry.

According to him, if the Creative Arts Ministry and industry players fail to adapt to the modern day advances in technology, then the movie industry will continue to fall behind time.

Some faceless movie producers were reportedly mentioned as having visited Bishop Obinim in Kumasi with the aim of seeking help to revive the decline in the patronage of local movies.

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Meanwhile, Akrobeto, speaking on Adom FM’s Entertainment Hall insisted that reviving the movie industry is about emulating the western culture and not seeking favours from pastors.

“If the work has declined, we have to be creative and adapt to the new trend. CDs are dead now pen drives are on top. The system is changing so we have to change. Spirits can’t affect the movie industry. Prayers can’t save us. You can go to Obinim it doesn’t matter…” he said.

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Akrobeto continued that: “we have to plan something to move our industry forward. We don’t have the same mind. We have to make sure to move things in its better form. It’s not about prayers.

There is no one as good as me in the Movie industry- Agya Koo brags.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/FSMbeEl4hS

— #JoyNews (@JOYNEWSONTV) February 5, 2018

He said that he refused to act nude because the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had at the time issued a stern warning to producers to limit the pornographic scenes in local movies.
Read also: Prophet names top Kumawood actors to die and it includes Big Akwes
Agya Koo, therefore, couldn’t fathom why those faceless producers and crew members would plan such ‘evil’ against him.
“People planned against me. They were mostly crew members and producers in the industry. They claimed they will never market my movies. People planned. I was Okomfo Anokye and was supposed to bath in a river. I was supposed to go naked for the scene but I rejected because the movie was going to educate people so I didn’t want to do that. I told them it was not professional. Besides Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had already told me to help stop the act. I had been keen against pornography in the industry. Why would people hate me for that?”, he quizzed.

watch video below:

And Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin has been accused as the cause of all these problems in the movie industry.

The industry’s favorite actor, Lilwin was recently accused of using his fetish priest, Top Kay to destroy the effort of others and turn all favor towards himself. It got to the extent he was accused of introducing his girlfriend Sandra Ababio into the industry to kill the shine of Nana Ama Mcbrown.

Barely a week ago, Top Kay, the official fetish priest of Lilwin who also doubles as part-time musician on the label of Boss Nation Music owned by Lilwin released a song to insult and make serious allegations against some major stars in the industry because they danced to the “One Corner” by Patapaa.

Lilwin has been accused of trying to steal the song from the new artist when that failed, he released his own version and called it “Corner Corner”. When Kwaku Manu and others danced to the One Corner song, he felt furious and allowed his fetish priest to come out with the insulting song.

In the said song, Top Kay accused Vivian Jill of being a Lesbian even though she has not danced to the song too. He equally called Emelia Brobbey a thief who stole from a shop when he visited London sometime back.

The Fetish Priest went on to say Kwaku Manu is jealous of the success of Lilwin. He accused him of backbiting and further declared he will continue to be broke and be below Kwadwo Nkansah Lilwin.

He called Big Akwes a pedophile who is in the habit of aborting babies he fathers with young girls below the age of 16.

He also revealed that Big Akwes is jealous of Lilwin because he refused to let him stay in his house.

But in an interview with Big Akwes on “Yi Wasum” on Thunder TV, Kwaku Manu has revealed that not only did he give Lilwin a place to stay when he first joined the industry, he also fed and clothed him.

He, therefore, does not understand why Lilwin will allow his fetish priest to demean people in the same industry that made him who he is. Kwaku Manu and Big Akwes rained curse on the fetish priest and Lilwin.

The high tempo ‘Hi-life-Azonto’ ‘One Corner’ song by artiste Patapaa has gained immense recognition in all corners across the country.

Nonetheless it comes with a frenzy dance which sends dancers wayward – with some of them seeking to hide under cars, motor bikes, gutters among other places upon hearing the song.

But in the funny video circulating on social media, Kwaku Manu jumps on top of a fridge to do the one corner dance.

Watch video below: 

However, some of comments from the public domain suggest this is a deliberate jab to his colleague actor Lil Win who was allegedly accused of attempting to steal the ‘One Corner’ hit song by releasing his ‘Corner Corner’ version.

We choose which situations suit us at a particular time and behave as saintly creatures when we share opposing views to things we detest. Most of the Kumawood actors who demonstrated against the influx of telenovellas on Ghanaian television are hypocrites.

It is true that we are having too many telenovellas on Ghanaian television at the expense of our movies. It is true that most Ghanaian movie producers are not able to do a lot of productions of late because of the recent hiccups of the film industry.

It started with the English-language movies; they suddenly atrophied and got virtually missing on the scene. Now the Kumawood ‘industry’, which has the biggest market and was doing very well even when their English counterparts were down, is also saying telenovellas dubbed into Twi are taking people’s attention from them.

The Petition to Otumfuo

On Thursday, 14th September, 2017, some movie makers in Kumasi embarked on a demonstration against the proliferation of telenovellas in Ghana.

They ended their demonstration with a petition to the Asantehene Otomfuo Osei Tutu II.

They were concerned about the fact that the telenovellas are dubbed in the Twi language. According to them, a foreigner ‘speaking’ Twi has the propensity to corrupt0 the Ghanaian culture. How?

I agree with the fact that these telenovellas are becoming too many on our screens but the Twi-dubbing argument does not make a whit of sense. It is positive for an Indian to ‘speak’ Twi in an Indian movie than to speak an Indian language. It tells the ‘ignorant’ film watcher that “someone from another country can speak my language, so I should also be proud of it”

Did they exhaust all avenues?

I find their petition to Otumfuo quite problematic. They have explained that Otumfuo is a custodian of Ashanti culture, hence they wanted him to add his voice to the matter but I believe they could have petitioned the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Creative Arts Council too or the National Commission on Culture.

I wonder if the petition to Otumfuo will yield any positive results. Nana has appointed a team to meet the leadership of the Film Produces Association of Ghana but I am quite pessimistic about the outcome.

Legislation

They also mentioned the passage of the Broadcasting Law. I think that is a good call. In fact, stakeholders of the industry have trumpeted this call for a long time and it is hoped that when passed, there will be strict regulation of the amount of foreign content that must appear on radio and television. If that 70% local content as against 30% foreign content should work, we may be making headway.

It is also hoped that the Legal Instrument for the Film Act will also be put in place to ‘operationalise’ it.

…but these actors are being hypocritical

I have personally seen a lot of actors on Kumkum Bhagya before. They go there to discuss episodes and scenes of the movie. Nana Ama McBrown has been there before. Lilwin, Emelia Brobbey, Yaw Dabo, John Dumelo, Majid Michel and lot of Ghanaian actors have been on that show.

I agree that sometimes some of these actors are put on ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ show on Adom TV to plug their events because that is their flagship programme for the station but if they truly resent telenovellas as they portrayed in their demonstration, they would not accept to be on, let alone join the discussions.

Conclusion

Consistency is key in advancing causes like this. You can’t go sit on ‘Kumkum Bhagya,’ advertise your programme on it, discuss the movie like you wrote the story and later come tell us that “y??gye y’ade?.”

In an interview with host Ohemaa Woyeje on Adom FM’s ‘Work and Happiness’ the ‘ladder’ hit maker claimed he was locked up in a room for five consecutive years to heal his broken leg due to the fall.

Recalling his past, the Kumawood actor who surprised his mom with a new house on her 70^th birthday said his mother’s love saved his life.

Lil Win recounted how his mother took care of him when he was bedridden till he recovered to buttress his point.

“I nearly died in a thirty feet manhole when I was young. I was going to fetch water. It locked me up in the room for 5 years to recover fully. All my money was finished. My mom did everything to save me. I was been giving about 15 injections in a day. I had to queue for hours before I could get to the hospital…” he revealed.

Nonetheless, the multiple-award winning Ghanaian entertainer, Lil Win advised married couples to shun paying attention to ‘voices’ outside their marriage if they seek to sustain it.

“Everything happened for a reason. People marry and divorce easily nowadays. If you are calm and patient you will sustain your marriage. Don’t listen to your friends and advices outside your relationship. It is the world the destroy relationship. Stay with yours…” he advised.

The actor speaking on Celebrity Ride With Zionfelix shared his first time kissing in a movie.

He described the scene as fun but “I took it as a movie so managed not to prolong it like doing it with my girlfriend”.

The actor and TV host confessed that he once aroused on set after kissing a lady in a movie because he took the action “world cup”.

When asked if the said lady whose kiss made his Mandingo rise was Vivian Jill Lawrence, the actor said no.

Papa Kumasi added that he has not planted a kiss on Jill Lawrence’s lips but he will surely do that very soon. Not only Vivian Jill Lawrence, he also named Nana Am Mcbrown, Matilda Asare, Ellen White and Emelia Brobbey as Kumawood actresses he has eyed.

The old boy of Toase SHS disclosed that he would soon produce his own movie which features all these top stars and that is when everything will happen.

He opined that kissing in a movie is very necessary so the public should not get it wrong when they see such scenes.

Watch Papa Kumasi on Celebrity Ride With Zionfelix below: