By George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
A KUMASI based actress, Ms Gloria Agyemang, has dispelled the notion that the film industry in Ghana is principally centred on witchcraft.
She said, “ Our activities are rather conscientising our numerous fans on the need to be highly religious to ensure maximum protection by the Holy Spirit to defeat any attacks by evil spirits.”
Known in the movie circles as ‘Aso’ for the impact she made in the film ‘Abuburo Kosua’, Ms Agyemang who started active acting ten years ago explained that the socio-cultural environment in Ghana is saturated with perceived practice of witchcraft, such that, those who are not highly religious are easily manipulated by evil spirits, thereby thwarting the development of the potentials of their victims.
“ Our films rekindle the spirits of our viewers for them to appreciate the spiritual and physical realms of their immediate environments, as well as their cultural and traditional values, and respond appropriately to enable them make meaningful impact in life as sons and daughters of the living God,” she stressed.
“ It also help them to relate very well with their neighbours, friends and sympathisers as well as their perceived enemies and ginger them to appreciate their strengths and weaknesses to make life more meaningful,” she explained further.
Speaking to Graphic Nsempa in an interview on the nature of the movie industry, Ms Agyemang noted that, “we have the potentials and ability to achieve greater laurels but certain challenges militate against our forward march.”
She said their activities in the industry are highly educative and had contributed immensely to sensitise their fans to the importance of traditional, cultural and moral values and how to sustain it for the benefit of the present and future generations.
She mentioned inadequate investment by some location managers as one of the major constraints affecting the industry.
Ms Agyemang also pointed out that without adequate investment as is happening in other countries in West Africa, actress and actors in Ghana could not exhibit their potentials to the maximum.
“ We have the potentials to perform to the satisfaction of our viewers, but sometimes the location to perform, costumes that would enhance our image and even common water to drink at locations are not easily available,” she said.
“ People are not ready to offer their premises to us to enable us perform for fear of exposing their apartments to armed robbers. some location managers are also reluctant to invest in the industry, and the motivation is inadequate as compared to what happen else where. She explained further.
She noted that with the abundant talents in the country, it was time location managers invested adequately to enable actresses and actors put up their best to accelerate the development of the industry.
On weather they were swimming in wealth, Ms Agyemang said “ I stay in a rented apartment and my car which broke down some time ago is still parked somewhere due to financial difficulties.”
“We do not attract much fees as compared to others elsewhere so I have no house on my own and no means of transport. I am surviving just like many others in the industry, but I hope that things would change for the better to enable some of us enjoy the fruits of our labour,” she revealed
Ms Agyemang who is a mother of one assured that notwithstanding the challenges facing the profession, “I will continue to put up my best in any movie I feature so fans should expect more from me.”
Among the movies she featured prominently are ‘ Asew 419, Asoreba, Asem, Obaa Hemaa, Obantanpa, and Abuburo Kosua.
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