Ghanaian Local Movie Industry Collapsed Due To “Illiteracy”

Technology is the distinction between the new and old generation. Its presence has helped to identify the means of production in every working zone. Employers are happy because they can produce in masses without much hands. Beautiful artifacts are seen through electronic gadgets whiles the gap between the western culture and that of the local is bridged. The only people complaining that technology has come to do them more harm than good are the stakeholder of Local movies in Ghana.

Initially, they were tagged with “Kumawood” which was embraced, then later, they realized that the brand is someone’s. The Ghanaian media chose it and qualified them with it although some of the stakeholders quickly fix such utterances when made. They deny their allegiance with “Kumawood” quickly.

Soiree News for the past years have analyzed through a hologram of the Local Movie industry and identified its flaws. The strength of the business is not as it used to. It is down on its knees begging to be resurrected but the investors have no clue on how to empower it back. Some have lost hope whiles others have invested in different areas of trade. So who is running the industry now, I mean who is the King of the business?

No one is. Twi movies in Kumasi is gradually becoming a shadow of the past. Actors and actresses have substituted profession in other areas. Some are television hosts to programs, others are musicians and many are now channel managers on YouTube and other sites. Bloggers have now taken advantage of their disadvantage making monies out of them. Everyday has got its own stories of sex scandals, nude pictures exhibition and utterances that should not come from celebrities.

The side-turn of the industry indeed has identified and revealed majority of movie makers, not as the people we knew them on screen but a host of slay queens and kings fueled with envy and greed. The moment there is an opera news notification on your phone, if it’s not about a Local Actress speaking about her sexual desire, it will be a fellow actor engaged in a brawl with his co.

So sad that the visionaries never saw this coming years ago. Visionaries? Who are they? Maybe there was none to survey the future of the Ghana Movie Industry. I am not surprise a bunch of producers visited Bishop Obinim’s Church to investigate in the fate of Kumasi Movies. This is shallow thinking and for all you know, a 12-year-old kid will never take such a decision. Those must be ashamed for their actions. They are the cause of the Industry’s downfall.

The moment the industry reached its peak where artiste could charge five thousand cedis (5,000), they should have known that there will definitely be a declining stage. That stage where one’s effort begins to go down the line happens when there are no future plans for the present. The artiste made mockery at the producers thinking they will reign forever as Ghanaians favorite. Such was a mistake. Well, defending the producers is not the case because they are not worthy to be shielded.

They produced shoddy goods for Ghanaians and won hefty profits from their investments so they thought unity plays no role in terms of working to achieve an interest. When the artistes were charging bigger monies, instead of them coming together to halt such ideas, they thought solo and attended with deaf ears. They never supported each other but thought they were too smart to come together and contain pricing of artiste even when the Actors’ Guild failed. They became monsters against each other blathering themselves to reigning artistes and camping them for their benefit. As for the Ghana Actors’ Guild, its reason for existence is unknown from day one.

Does the Ghana Actors Guild have a role? A kid can at least tell you that the mother of all the artiste in the country must ensure that there is standard pay and better work conditions among its members including holding yearly awards to reward its members. Because the Guild represents artistic interest, it makes sure to discipline members who go against their laws. This is just a few out of hundred responsibilities. The question is, was the Ghana Actors’ Guild up to the task? Absolutely no.

They had a hand in the death of the Local Movies. Whoever became a president was for his selfish interest. They did what they like and travelled when they want. After all, no pressure from its ignorant members. it is only in Ghana that anyone can just wake up from his home and start shooting a movie, sometimes with his family. There are no rules for the reason that majority of the stakeholders of the Local Industry are “illiterates”. They did not have a clue as to what they signed for.

One day there was a paradigm, kind courtesy of Technology. No one ever thought the days of video Cassette will be over until now. God’s mercies poured out to reveal the young to take over the industry in a way the older can never compete. Every evil idea was laid down by stakeholders. Then they began competing with the youth into digital marketing. The greedy ones tried all they can to work their way in but as the system advance more and more, they were repelled out. Others associated themselves trying to play their cheat ball game against the young but time never gave them a room to ploy their tactics. Gradually, the many that were called left for a few.

Those working behind the scenes took over the steer and drove for their benefit. Then the old started complaining apportioning blames on television channels that occupied their screens with telenovelas and soap operas. They organized a comic-demonstration on the streets of Kumasi but to no avail. The side has turned against them. Illiteracy and ignorance at its best. How can man have a thought that he alone will reign forever. Is that possible. For everything under the sun, there is a season. The table was waiting to turn when you were fighting each other.

The Nigerian Movie Industry is doing so well because they adapted to the strategies of time. Iroko TV, Ibaka, Nollywood TV and a whole lot of improvement from them. Outstanding. Where is the broadcasting asset of the Ghana Movie Industry especially the Local sector? None. The only one here is the Kumawood Television. It belongs to a smart entrepreneur of showbiz by name, Samdackus.

The table will not turn to your favor again. Invest in your children and your children’s children. Who knows, they can help you claim ownership of the Kumasi Movies but for now, sit down and suffer whiles technology reigns.