In the last few years and under different sheets of the various Awards organised in and out of Africa, we’ve heard ‘Best Actor’, ‘Best Actress’, ‘Best Supporting Actor/Actress’, ‘Discovery of the Year’ and several other phrases decorated with gold, having been attributed to our Ghanaian movie stars.
We’ve accepted their awards as a clear indication of excellence and their strengths—though we all have some doubt in relation to the credibility of some of these awards. But we’ve refused to point out the weakness of most of these stars, even our so called favourite actors and actresses.
I recently had a long conversation with a Ghanaian actress and we ended up by the pool of reality, telling her that, everyone has a weak spot—no matter how good that person may seems to be. Therefore, she has to work on those weak spots of hers if she indeed wants to take her career to the next level.
And interestingly, she did not even know her own weakness—which made me wonder; how can these people improve and become better if they do not even know what needs work and where they should focus their attention for improvement…
On one hand, it seems we’ve failed these actors and actresses for failing to point out to them their weakness just as we award them for their excellence. On the other hand, we all know the attitude of Ghanaians to criticism—they will probably call that hating, just as we usually do when being told about our dark side.
Against the above background, I want us to look at the on-screen weakness of our Ghanaian actors and actress-both Kumawood and Ghollywood, point out to them where they really have to improve should they want that ‘out of the box’ success they so much desire—as movie enthusiasts, critics and ordinary viewers.
Using the comment box below, mention the name of an actor or actress follow by where the person’s attention must be dedicated to, in order to improve his or her career. And if the person is beyond repairs such that she/he has to totally quit acting, do not be afraid to be truthful to the person and yourself by letting it out…
We all see different things when we watch a movie so we all should have something to say. Do not be worried about what someone has already said, including what I am going to say. Just say what you’ve witnessed—FREELY!
I will start with Joselyn Dumas, John Dumelo, Jackie Appiah and Juliet Ibrahim—dealing with the Js.
Joselyn Canfor Dumas
It is obvious Joselyn Dumas has a good level of interest in her acting career, thought at first she came across as gearing more of her energy towards TV. Joselyn has no problem with displaying emotions on-screen, when a role demands so.
For me, Joselyn Dumas has to let go everything when acting and by this, I mean she seems very conscious of her person in the movies I’ve seen her. You can easily spot that, she has some vested personal interested in how she is appearing on screen which sometimes makes it too obvious that she is acting up.
I wouldn’t want to say she is shy but if the above fails to connect with your understanding, think along the lines of “being shy or uncomfortable”—-FIDGETY sounds like that better word I am looking for.
Juliet Ibrahim
We all saw where Juliet Ibrahim started from…Her ‘Crime to Christ’ era was nothing close to good but over the years, she has really improved—-with her on-screen gestures or attitudes being her strength to me.
With dedication and perseverance, Juliet has really done great for herself as an actress. She has more of a ‘success story’ than all these actors and actresses out there—I think.
When it comes to a key area that needs urgent attention, I will point her to the region of dialogue. The way she delivers her lines must be given the needed attention. As an actress, she is able to immerse herself into her roles, intending to make things seem as close to reality as possible. But her speech and the way she throws out her lines always give her out.
Probably, she is still struggling with her multi-lingua tongue—at least that is what I think.
John Dumelo
John Dumelo has a charming personality and to be frank, I think that is the main strength of his entire acting career. When you look at someone like Robert De Niro, you will see that the Oscar-winning actor has a stumbling personality but he is an excellent actor. By this, I mean you wouldn’t be bothered with De Niro if he was not an actor but when you see him on-screen, you can’t just ignore his excellence.
On the other hand, even if John Dumelo was not an actor, I am sure he could still command some sort of attention with his personality—endowed with bold African features.
Since John has that inherent attention grabbing personality, what he needs to work on is his ‘general pretence attitude’. To me, an actor is great if his or her pretence is well camouflaged, making you believe it is real—and not pretence.
For some reason, the moment John pops up on the screen, you are reminded that, this is acting!
Jackie Appiah
Jackie Appiah has more awards to her name than any Ghanaian actor or actress but one award she has not picked up yet which I am about to honour her with is; the award for ‘Areas to Improve’.
When it comes to on screen display of DARK emotions—particularly, display of grief which can even get a viewer to share tears, Jackie Appiah is a real champ. Let me say, the success of her acting career can be attributed to the way she is able to touch viewers with her dark emotions.
Ironically, when it comes to the display of BRIGHT emotions—be it total happiness or some sort of huge jubilation, Jackie Appiah is unable to bring the same effect she easily unleashes with the DARK emotions.
When Jackie Appiah is grieving (crying her tears out), you cannot resist her, I’ve seen grown men shed tears. But let’s say if she just won a big lottery in a movie or a man she has been crying over for years returns to marry her, you will not be moved by her joy or excitement.
I am not sure why this is so—-and I am not sure if you’ve also noticed this. She is not perfect with her lines but there is nothing like perfection out there. However, if she really wants to be an all-round actress, she definitely has to work on the bright side of things…
There will be times she would be hired to play a happy woman—and she should be able to deliver with excellence just as she would have delivered if she was playing a crying widow.
Now Your Turn
You certainly must have watched some of our Ghanaian movie stars, ranging from Lil Win to Nadia Buari and from Majid Michel to Yvonne Okoro—let’s know their ‘weakest link’ and if they really want to improve, they will take your comment on board or forever remain in their seats as local champions…
Excellent piece Chris. I wish you added Yvonne Nelson and Okoro too so at least we can know what you think about them two but this is one of your best articles. If only our so called stars will take it in good faith
I will take Nadia Buari. She is not a very bad actress as people say but I believe she will be far better if she let go that fake accent. A child born today will even know that accent is fake and it makes her acting some way bi. You can see she spends all her attention and time trying to perfect her accent while her emotions and others are bad
Personally I think Jackie Appiah is the best. But just as Chris said she is very good at crying and playing the sad roles. when it is time for the happy roles she does not do much well. Most of the actresses have improve over the works except Yvonne Nelson. Yvonne to me from day one has not been good and she is not still good. She screams a lot and she over exaggerates. Majid Michel too over exaggerates and he has to let go that Scar-face Montana acting. Same style of acting for every role they give him
Sharing tears with who? We shed tears, we don’t share tears.
i think most of our GH actors and actress’s have to master their trade and improve on their skills by attending acting, drama, performing or theatre classes.
Great article.
John has the charming personality for real, especially when it involves romantic roles. wow thats when these desperado chics send him a mail on facebook complimenting him. Some even go on the extent of sending him their half naked pictures. To me he’s an okay actor still needs to work more on improving. None of these people are perfect to me maybe is because they haven’t been to the school of drama and acting yet. They are trying and we will accept them just the way they are.
Jocelyn has good looks, flashy clothes. I’ve met her once and will say she know’s how to put her stuffs together. Unlike these Fake LV women in the system. She’s new in the acting game but way better than some wannabe girls. I believe as time goes on she will improve. Thanx to shirley frimpong manso for encouraging her.
Juliet Ibrahim was horrible from the beginning don’t really blame her but guess it was due to her accent. She became better in some movies but still can’t rate her as the best. She seems to have the heart of gold never heard or seen her in any fights or complains. Will choose her over the two yvonnes.
Jackie Appiah: I kinda understand why fans are so into her. She’s beautiful, her facial expression is A plus. I know she might not have the wow body and fashion sense but facially she wins. Jackie isn’t the best nor the worse. The truth is humbleness. Humility should be the key when you’re a celebrity. Even in the bible it says God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Jackie is benefiting from this scripture, everywhere you go you will hear her name. Abdul salam once made a comment to his colleague that if all these girls were like Jackie it would have made the work easier for him. In Kafui danku’s recent interview, she also chose Jackie appiah as her favorite due to her humble personality. The girl is very respectful, doesn’t complain or fight back whenever there’s an attack. Chris is very right when it comes to emotional roles Jackie wins hands down. She can cry especially when given the role as a poor girl. In beyonce her role looks so real thats when people started liking her. She contributed so much into that movie. I just like it when her and nadia plays a role together. They both make it natural.
Nadia is pretty and talented. The fake American accent needs to go for real. Its been so long and she’s still forcing to be americanized. I know shes full of her self which is cool. Many of her mates complains she’s not friendly even her twitter fans, am sure thats her own decision so we should respect that. She also contributed so much in beyonce. Nadia goes more with the sophisticated roles while Jackie benefits from the poor and emotional area.
Martha ankomah: She’s also a mini version of Jackie appiah, the girl is also a humble babe. Martha knows how to live according to her means, her clothes might not be that expensive but fits her powerful body. Martha acting skills is so real she can pass both flashy and emotional roles. The truth is many people haven’t noticed her so good producers never hire her. I hope shirley will give her a job soon.
Roselyn Ngissah: Also a good actress. She can play any roles, from wifey, school girl and a bad girl.. She did awesome in the series called Miser. Roselyn played a small kid and made viewers believed she was a kid. I admire her so much
Yvonne okoro: She’s getting better but not a wow. Not really a fan because she doesn’t motivate me. Lost interest in her after the whole miss Ghana saga, as a celebrity you don’t respond or curse at journalist whenever you hear something. I think she’s childish too.
Yvonne Nelson: the worse actress and also very rude. She’s always aggressive in her roles and even recite some of her lines. This girl doesn’t respect anyone. Her reviews are always bad am sure thats a mini version of Tonto Dikeh. I hope she changes. Am sure only Nigerians calls her but not her own motherland.
I stop watching the GH English movies long time ago, due to many things, fake and poor acting there’s no culture to it. It was good when they all started with movies like Beyoncé, the presidents daughter and Mummy’s daughter, after that then they all wanna be Americans, then it was over for me.
I dont remember the last time I watched a Ghanaian english movie. I will rather sit on youtube and watch pranks because all these people you people call actors and actresses are useless. Yvonne Nelson is worse, follow by Juliet Ibrahim, Majid, John Dumelo and the list goes on. They all cannot act to even save their life but in Ghana we call them actors. Actors my foot.
Agya Koo and Lil Win can atleast make you laugh your problems out. I will rather watch them any day than these english actors. I want to watch proper english acting I will go netflix and watch good movie
Joslyn Dumas is just cautious of her personality and her body actually esp she never would do any body revealing role…that’s how i see that girl. and i think she keeps to her self n family.
personally i think you did a great job with your analysis, you are not far from right…i wish u could say something about majid. that guy is good,all round; from bad guy to good guy to poor guy. Majid however doesn’t fit so well in a rich guy role,he looks funny when he acts such roles…the only problem i have with Majid is his diction.his pronunciations are really bad,like he has a hot food in his mouth (no offends). however, i will choose Majid over all the other male actors.
Yvonne Nelson, God that girl is a piece of work..i vividly remember her in ”princess tyrah”she practically read the script to use but i cant blame her that much cos that was her 1st major role..her acting is improving tho but at a very slow pace.i think she can increase the pace if she could swallow her pride just a bit and listen to critics and advice..
John D. is good looking no one can take that away from him,but when it come to acting,he is FAKE thats all.
yea we know we cant feed you guys but for goodness sake,we buy the CDs.