Actor Fred Amugi, from Ghana, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing legal disputes about the Actors Guild of Ghana’s leadership, stating that they are impeding the industry’s progress.
He said that the industry’s progress has slowed down since there was no strong, capable leadership to guide its activities.
Following the passing of the guild’s president, Reverend Eddie Coffie, in 2016, the guild has not had a chance to elect new executives, which has prevented the guild from having the necessary leadership to oversee industry matters and look out for the welfare of performers.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on May 20, 2024, Mr. Amugi expressed his hope that the Guild will resolve their disagreements and rebuild.
“The film industry is like any other business. It has its ups and downs. However, for the past few years, it’s been having issues of power struggles and conflicts, especially within the Ghana Actors Guild.
Read also:Instagram trying nudity blurring to stop ‘sextortion’
“This has led to a decline in productivity and quality because what’s being produced is not checked. We’re lucky to have Akwaaba Magic on DStv, which has provided a platform for our films. They’ve been supportive and willing to work with us, and the films they show are good. If we keep making good films, we’ll benefit from their support.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria’s film industry is ahead of ours. They have more opportunities with subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix, and we need to work together to catch up,” he stated.
Additionally, Mr. Amugi expressed his worries about the industry’s lack of cooperation and teamwork, which he feels is impeding the creation of superior movies that can successfully compete globally.
“The film industry in Ghana needs unity. Currently, everyone is working alone because they’re afraid of being copied. The truth, however, is that no matter how much we know, someone else always knows more. If we work together in unity, we could make great films that showcase our different talents and perspectives,” he said.
“If we are united, we could even gain enough recognition in prestigious awards such as the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA),” he emphasised.
