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‘Ghollywood’ Finally Accepted As The Official Name Of Ghana’s Movie Industry

Jackie Appiah And Shirley Frimpong Manso

 

Ghallywood has for some years now been known (unofficial though) as the name of the Ghanaian movie industry, but, during the launching of Ghana Movie Awards for 2013 on Tuesday 3rd Dec, 2013 at the Golden Tulip hotel in Accra, the President of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Mr. Stephen Hackman, annulled it.

In his own words he said “Ladies and Gentlemen, one thing which has been on my heart personally for some time now and I believe most of my colleagues is a name for Ghana’s film industry. May I therefore suggest, as many seem to think along with me, the name Ghollywood for our movie industry.

Please note the spelling – GHOLLYWOOD, Mr. Hackman spelt the name out well for journalists around to take note.

In an exclusive duologue with Mr. Hackman recently, he told GhanaCelebrities.Com that they (FIPAG) shall launch Ghollywood in a grand style for all and sundry to know.

Nollywood is 20 years now – since the name Nollywood was suggested by a Nigerian journalist and ever since, became the official name of Nigeria’s movie industry. On Saturday, 2nd December, 2012, was the historic celebration of Nollywood at 20 with a grand opening event themed “Nollywood Celebrity Glam Night,” at the magnificent Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

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Looking At The Total ‘Character Worksheet’, Do Ghanaian Dancehall Artistes Deserve Corporate Brand Ambassador Deals?

Shatta Wale
Shatta Wale

Some Ghanaian celebrities, spanning the major sects of our creative art industry – movies, music, broadcasting, fashion and modeling, have one way or the other been offered corporate brand ambassadorial deals before…

Though corporate bodies contract showbiz celebrities to brand or market their products and services, they also take into consideration the total ‘character worksheet’ of the person (celebrity). After all, nobody throws good money over bad money.

Dancehall music, which is believed to have originated from Jamaica, has most of its artistes engage in all sorts of social vices – dissing of other dancehall music compeers through their songs/videos, smoke ‘hard’ drugs, some are alcohol addicts, fights mostly come along with their concerts, don’t keep their dreadlocks neat, dress shabbily, amongst others.

Most popular (and even unpopular ones) Ghanaian dancehall artistes also engage in same or similar above acts. Today it is Bandana dissing Samini; tomorrow it is Bandana against Stonbwoy; the next day it is Iwan spitting at Samini; the day after, it is Shatta Rako abasing Samini.

They spread diss songs on various social media platforms, Tweets crude messages containing swear words, affront and make unfounded allegations against each other on both radio and television interviews; making the dancehall music arena, a ‘stinking’ place in our music industry.

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MUST READ: Who Has The Duty & Right To Ban ‘China-Kente’ – Asantehene or The Government?

Kente

 

I don’t intend to sound tribally prejudiced, but I can say vehemently that Kente, which originates from Ashanti Kingdom, is Ghana’s most revered cotton and silk cultural fabric.

Fondly won by Ashantis, other sects in the Akan ethnic group and other non-Akan ethnic groups, Kente is the cultural as well as the ex officio fabric won by Ashanti kings for both national and international events.

The Ashanti kingdom is the most authoritative monarchy in Ghana’s history from ancient days till date. Not only do the kings wear Kente but the Queen mothers of Ashanti wear Kente too. The Queen Mothers put it on in a style known as “baasankye” with a hair style known as “dansinkran.”

Observing the Ghanaian scene over the last decade, Kente which is warmly appreciated and has a high commercial value when manually woven with the hands (as it has been done from ancient days till now), is gradually losing its commercial value through the importation of other ‘adulterated’ forms of Kente popularly called “China Kente.”

This adulterated Kente fabrics are imported into the country from China by some Ghanaian and foreign fabric investors. They go to China with samples of the original Kente, allow the fabric designers or textiles companies there to copy our original Adinkra symbols/designs in the Kente and print huge quantities. The final result is “China Kente” imported back to Ghana.

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‘Most Ghanaian Gospel Songs Do Not Make Sense’– I Agree With Sonnie Badu!

Sonnie Badu1

 

Ghanaian gospel musician of international repute, Sonni Badu, opined in 2009 that most Ghanaian gospel songs do not make sense. “They lament too much instead of praising, exhorting or thanking God” said Sonnie.

About two years on, one of Ghana’s entertainment newspapers called ‘News One,’ published Sonnie’s own words which were captured on tape when he made those remarks. When the story was reviewed, Sonnie came public to apologize, simply because some people think his words were not proper.

Sonnie Badu was even charitable with his words. In my opinion, ‘most Ghanaian gospel songs are meant for the trash bin.’ As gospel artistes keep popping up each passing day, the lyrics of their songs which must make their songs gospel are far from that.

Most of the lyrics in their songs cannot be described as gospel. One listens to the so called gospel songs and all that you hear are; unnecessary shouting, well rehearsed “tongues,” wailing, preaching for material sense gratifications, illusion of hopes and invocation of holy ghost which never shows up.

The themes of gospel songs in Ghana are only two. One, they tell a story of how they were neglected by their family, which many a time is false because in this day and age, the living is so tough that everyone is minding his/her own business. Nobody can carry his cross (problems) as well as that of his/her fellow; even Jesus Christ has stopped doing that.

The phrase they use to that effect is “adedenfikyire.” That phrase has become so hackneyed in Ghanaian gospel songs that each time I hear it, I fell like retching. They glorify luxury as though it is the ultimate goal of life. You will travel…yeah! You will marry…that is my portion! You will get riches…I receive it!

Most of them don’t have any sensible message to churn out through music. As Christians, the ultimate message we should be preaching about is eternity. If you marry and you don’t go to heaven, what have you done? If you travel to “abrokyire” and go to struggle for few dollars, is that blessings?

If you make riches and fail to make heaven, what have you done? Who even told these gospel musicians that rich men are the happiest people on earth? ‘Spiritual science’ will teach you that riches, is nothing but slavery in disguise.

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Foreigners Are Stealing Ghana’s Folkloric Arts ‘Free of Charge’

  Reliable information gathered indicates that some foreigners who sojourn Ghana in the guise as tourists do not only come to enjoy our natural sites (and our women), but also steal our folkloric arts free of charge. Have you heard of National Folklore Board before? Well, in case you don’t know, it is a board … Read more

Can You Imagine The Meaning of ‘INTERNATIONAL’ In Ghana’s Showbiz?

  If the international status we confer onto our artists is not well defined, we shall continue to delude ourselves that we are ‘there’ but in actuality, we shall remain ‘local champions’ till thy kingdom come. Irrespective of whichever dictionary you believe in or check  your words from, the basic meaning of one saying something … Read more

Ghana’s Existing Old Cinemas Cry For International Investors

cinema

 

Opposite the Mamprobi Presbyterian Church and five meters away on the right side of Mamprobi post office in Accra, is Plaza cinema. As a young boy growing up in Mamprobi in the early 90s, I saw thousands of movie-goers who huddled Plaza cinema just to watch movies.

Built over 50 years ago, Plaza cinema was not the only cinema then. We had: Rex, Roxy, Orion, Opera, Globe, Dunia, Ophel, Orbit, Laskala, Olympio, 5-Star, Royal, Rega cinemas respectively, and others (my memory can’t recall).  Today, most of these cinemas have been architecturally turned into churches and big stores.

Currently, National Theatre and the Accra Mall – Silverbird Cinemas serve as the steadiest venue for movie makers as far as movie premiering or screening is concerned. Out of the lot, the only existing old cinema that caught my attention for this write up is Plaza cinema, because, I grew up seeing it and went there on many occasions to watch movies.

I recall watching old Ghanaian movies such as; Confessions, You Can’t Laugh, Dangerous Game, The Police Officer, Escape to Love, Justice, Babina, Out of Sight, Out of Love, Expectations, Kanana, When the Heart Decides, Ghost Tears, Dark Sands, Suspense, Namishia, The Noise of Silence, A Mother’s Revenge, Baby Thief, My Sweetie, A Stab in the Dark, Loving You, Unconditional Love, Who killed Nancy?, Double Trouble, I Surrender, Fatal Decision, Candidate for Hell, Marijata, Just Once, Cracked Illusion, Diabolo, Black Sunday, Okukuseku and others. Indeed, when we were we then, where were you?

Comparing Plaza Cinema to National Theatre and Silverbird Cinemas, the former has many comparative advantages to the latter. Plaza cinema if architecturally re-crafted, can accommodate 15,000 audiences. It has a large reserved land size for car parks.

Location-wise, Plaza cinema is at a vantage point, thus, on the main Mamprobi road. Hundred meters from its right side is Mamprobi police station. Another hundred meters from its left side is Korle-Bu teaching hospital. The essence is that, if organizers face unwarranted hooliganism from agitated audience, policemen can just walk to the scene and calm the grounds.

Should there be casualties, they can be conveyed to Korle-Bu in no time for medical attention. Aside using the cinema for movie premiers, it can also be used for almost all showbiz or entertainment concerts. Truly, a great asset is left in shambles.

Unfortunately, the over 50 year old Plaza cinema is still physically standing but wailing for attention. My recent regular evening visits to the cinema to see how the cinema is faring gave me moistened eyes. A cinema that has hosted thousands of audience before now hosts between 10-16 movie-goers.

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