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Ghana Movie Industry’s Talented & Versatile Actors!

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The Ghana Movie Industry is doing relatively well. The industry has also come to an appreciable level where its actors and actresses get recognition at prestigious awards on the African continent, Europe and lately in America.

But I strongly believe that, it won’t be too strong a word to say that, the industry lack versatile actors. Truth be told in plain language, versatility is almost non-existent in Ghanaian movies. Also, the industry is small, that every actor who does a movie gets noticed.

Very often Ghanaians [annoyingly true] mistake how good-looking an actor is to mean he is a good or versatile actor, but that’s utterly not true. Let me remind you that being all good-looking has got nothing to do with how great you are when interpreting movie scripts.

Being a great actor like Harrison Ford or Nicholas Cage is one thing and being a handsome bloke like Brad Pitt or Leonardo DiCaprio is also another thing all together. It should be noted that, I’m not in any way saying Harrison and Nicholas are the best of unappealing actors, neither am I saying Brad and Leonado are not good actors.

I get more confused if not worried or worried if not confused whenever a scriptwriter writes a script with a particular actor or actress in mind. This practise is rampant in Africa. In a way, it goes to show that, the said actor is a typecast who specialises in particular roles and also means the person isn’t versatile.

Acting is an art that can be acquired but most actors were born with the talent – those actors are naturally versatile. In football, a versatile player is referred to as a utility player – a person who can operate and play any position in his team. It doesn’t matter the challenge, such a person will fit in perfectly especially when someone is injured or suspended.

Versatility in acting is when an actor is able to play many roles and still be in character. The actor should be playing varied roles from a different genre [romance, comedy, blockbuster, thriller among others] to another.

It is not mostly about playing different characters though, it’s about being able to act different roles and look believable. A great and versatile actor knows how to get into character and switch back when the need arises. This means that, Ghana has only few versatile actors out of the whole lots.

An actors’ mannerism when interpreting any role is very important. Interestingly, offer a role to a Ghanaian actor and you are sure to get the same person in return. Give an angry-looking role to good-looking Kofi Ghana to interpret and you will surely get good-looking Kofi Ghana in your movie.

Such actors are called typecast. They are only there to play one particular role in all their movies. There are no ‘wow factor’ for such actors, since they appear to be the same in all movies.

Aside movies, people relate in different ways when they are having a mixed feelings, experiencing pain, anger, happy moments among others but such actors’ faces or mannerisms remain the same no matter the mood they find themselves.

It appears such actors are not challenged by their directors. Directors should be bold enough to give roles to actors who are willing to interpret roles well not some good-looking guy who wants to have fun. After all, not all the great and versatile actors in Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood are good-looking.

It will be nice to see talented and versatile actors, rather than handsome guys who cannot act to save their souls. GhanaCelebrities.Com has taken a bold step and complied Ghana’s current versatile actors. They are below in no particular order.

Majid Michel

Most people refer to him as Al Pacino [Tony Montana] because of resemblance in their acting. The worst movie that this guy has featured in so far is ‘The Beast’. The day Ebenezer Brew Riverson Jnr. decided to stop acting was when he took over as Ghana’s Best Actor. One of the most difficult things for any actor to do is to adopt and speak in different accents but that is what he enjoys doing best.

In Hollywood, an actor will be flown to Ghana to learn Ghanaian languages and mannerisms of the people but Majid stayed in Ghana and mimicked correctly an accent in ‘Somewhere In Africa’. Such a great and award winning performance.

His colour is believed by many as his advantage over others but truly his versatility cannot be contested. His performance in ‘Guilty Pleasures’ featuring Ramsey Nouah and Ese Ikpe Ntim is another superb piece. His ability to switch from roles and still look believable makes him a versatile actor.

Ekow Blankson

It’s pity that I can’t find many words to describe Ekow Blankson. Another cool and fine gentleman who nails every role he grabs. He doesn’t remind you of other roles he’s played before because he always brings new stuff into his roles.

That’s what we call versatility. One of his superb acting in the movie ‘Pool Party’ earned him a nomination for the Best Actor category in the African Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria in 2010.

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Ekow Blankson at African Movie Academy Awards 2011

Adjetey Anang

Though he hasn’t featured in lot of movies, movie enthusiasts believe Adjetey Anang defines versatility. He was the bad, recalcitrant boy in ‘Things We Do For Love’, but he has grown through the ranks to establish himself as one of the talented and versatile actors in Ghana now.

He gets into character easily and pulls out wonderful artistic performances whenever he gets the opportunity. Those who think he cannot play a fatherly role due to his bad boy nature will rethink after seeing him in the Shirley Frimpong Manso movie chapter series ‘Adams Apple’.

Adjetey is appreciated on daily basis and his acting prowess can’t be challenged on any day.

Adjetey'Pusher' Anang
Adjetey 'Pusher' Anang

Kofi Adjorlolo

Kofi is such a talented and great actor. He is the greatest Ghanaian actor in his generation. With his acting abilities, Ghana is too small for him. He is such a flawless actor with many attributes. Kofi acts as compared to some of his age mates who most often recite their lines.

From serious roles like Drug Barons to a Pastor to a Chief to a Minister and Kofi Adjorlolo is a delight to watch. He is also ever present when it comes to comic roles too. The on-going TV series, ‘The Miser’ confirms why Kofi is one of the talented actors in Ghana now. And let me repeat myself here, he is such a flawless actor. He makes acting so easy. His biggest attribute is his mannerism.

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Kofi Adjorlolo at the launch of Ghana Movie Awards 2011

Agya Koo

Agya Koo is the only Twi-speaking actor on the list. If he can replicate all the things he does and says in Twi movies in English movies, he will be too hot to handle.

He is ever present in every scene. He is the only actor who has played all the movie roles there is in movie making. Yet, he appears to be the only one who is limited due to the bad subtitling of his movies. From his Concert Party days to now, he has not failed in any of his roles. He still remains the reigning Best Actor in Twi-speaking movies. His position is safe.

Agya Koo in traditional wear
Agya Koo in traditional wear

Eddie Nartey

Many people will have a problem with this guy in this list but nobody should have doubts over his acting abilities. Yes, he is new and young but his role in ‘Tears Of Womanhood’ is a proof of why he is in here. Only few actors can mimic a foreign accent but he perfectly did that in ‘Somewhere In Africa’.

He is one of the realest actors in the industry. His character in ‘T.O.W’ required emotions to be showed in various scenes and pulled it off so well. If he gets half the roles the established actors grab then surely his name will be engraved forever in the minds of movie enthusiasts.

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Actor Eddie Nartey

Ekow Smith Asante

He is also moving from the rank as less seen actor to a leading role character. His ingenuity has taken him outside the shores of Ghana. He might not be a top earner but he is considered as one of the best in Ghana.

Ekow is a slow talker but can get rough and tough in movies when the character demands that and that the trait of a versatile actor.

Ekow Smith Asante
Ekow Smith Asante

Above is our list of the talented and versatile actors in Ghana, you can disagree with us but before you do that, give us your list and state why. We will publish the talented and versatile actresses in Ghana soon.

It is difficult to get versatile actors if directors don’t push them outbox or challenge them.

Do you agree with GhanaCelebrities.Com? Whichever way you go, those are the versatile actors in Ghana. Let’s see your list.



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18 thoughts on “Ghana Movie Industry’s Talented & Versatile Actors!”

  1. If Agya Koo could speak better english, he would be even more popular than Mr Ibu and all of Nigerians comedians. But I still love him. Majid is still the best actor in West Africa, can’t be denied. I think Ghana needs a steady english natural comedian who can act. Even though Majid can be funny like in 4play he’s still not a natural comedian. We need one.

    Reply
  2. My picks for versatile ghanaian actors are Majid and Adjetey Annan, they hardly play the same roles over n over, Adjetey seems like a talented seasoned actor who pick his roles very well and play them well, i like him. Do these actors choose their roles or is written strictly for them, whether u want play the role or not?

    Reply
  3. Agya Koo is the best of them all. He plays and can play many different rolls.

    I’m kind of happy John D. was not on the list, as the guy plays the same roll over and over again. Plus he kind of finds it hard to express feelings. Also his style fashion hair cut is the same in every movie!

    I’ll like to see the same list for the ladies…. PLS bring one 😉

    Reply
    • @Akosua, PS: Funny Agya Koo is limited, jet he’s the top pay of all in Ghana movies!!!! hmmm….
      take that all you wanna bees, Americans!!! AGYA we love you keep up the good work.

      Reply
    • @Akosua, u re rite i kinda find john dumelo boring..Adjetey Annan is ma man any day any time,majid too is good nd eddie nartey der is somthin abt him that can be developed da guy has talent but lacks oppurtunity guess ghanaians onli want pretty face even without talent.hmm

      Reply
    • @Akosua, YOU COULDN’T have been any right my dear! J.D has been around from infancy and from baby thief, he has been the same. even when he is playing wicked and criminal scence his expressions stays the same, poor body launguage! Would have labled Van same, but recent movies, his body and facial expressions has improved greatly though more room for improvement!

      And talk about personality, him..
      Ama K an’t my fun but the babe can deliver and at times Nadia too, but when I seem to be losing out on her she comes out with a hit!

      Hmm, am loving this!

      Reply
  4. nice list but wheres my man john dumelo? him and majid are the best in africa at the moment! hands down…john dumelo has to be in that list….i can see hes just being sidelined cos he the best

    Reply
  5. John dumelo better be careful before people treat him like Van Vicker and he becomes only liked for his looks and not his talent. Shirley Frimpong needs to give him a challenging role. Agya koo is the man

    Reply
  6. Im proud of u for focusing on ACTING only….this small list is the ceme dela creme…..an actor’s actor….the standard….these guys could go toe to toe with any of the best actors around the world and be victors

    There is room for the handsome face cute accent actor but lets be serious could Jon Dumelo out shine Harrison Ford or Denzel Washington no in the boxing ring you would bet on talent  not looks so keep it real

    Reply
  7. Adjetey Annan ( check) Majid Michel ( check) Ekow Blankson ( check) Kofi Adjorlolo (check) ………………….. Please do I have to continue… Totally agree with the list and the reasons.. The Great Agya Koo ( check, check, check) Lol.

    Reply
  8. I really like that people are begining to understand this career is not just games….i can see these men acting for the next forty years. The day Ghana movies earn a billion dollars one of these men Im sure will be a part of it.

    I just love great black men who excell in their craft. 

    Reply

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