FIPAG BOSS URGES ACTORS TO PRODUCE MOVIES

Steve George Asare Hackman, President of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) has asked Ghanaian actors and actresses to take up the habit of producing their own movies.

Mr Hackman who was speaking about actress Yvonne Okoro’s award-winning ‘Contract’ movie, told NEWS-ONE that he was happy the movie was raising the flag of Ghana high by winning several awards in Africa.

“It is good for an actor or actress to become a producer because they are always before the camera. If they now come behind the camera they will go through what we, the producers, are going through and see how important a producer is. But I will be happier if more actors or actresses will come onboard so that we can move this industry forward,” the Chief Executive of Hacky Films said.

Yvonne Okoro’s first self-produced film swept  four awards—Best Movie 2013, Best Movie Director, Best Writing (Drama) and Best Video Editing—at the just-ended Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) held in Lagos, Nigeria.

“It is good actors and actresses in Ghana are starting to write, produce and direct movies because the movie industry needs a lot of people to come in so that we can have a lot of ideas and different views. Yvonne has been in the industry for some time as an actress and then she has worked with producers like Venus Films, Shirley Frimpong Manso and the rest. So she has some kind of idea, work experience in moviemaking. For me I’m happy for Yvonne winning the award,” he stated.

Yvonne Okoro joins the likes of Yvonne Nelson, Lydia Forson and Van Vicker as actors and actresses who have written, produced or directed their own movies. Perhaps, the rest will follow suit.

GOVT SHOULD STOP GIVING ACTORS MONEY - MR IBU

Nollywood actor, John Okafor has decried the absence of adequate structures in Nollywood.

Also he criticised the recent visit of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria to President Goodluck Jonathan, which did not appear to go down well with some people who queried the motive in the first place.

For these critics, the actors only went to grab a ‘piece of the national cake.’ And though the actors concerned have since defended their decision to pay the President a courtesy visit, popular Nigerian comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, is still not pleased.

According to the actor who rose to prominence after his breakout role in the 1997 movie, Agony, where he portrayed an imbecile, the Federal Government has yet to set its priorities right with regard to Nollywood.

“The government should stop giving Actors’ Guild cash, because we don’t know how to handle it. Some people will go to the office, process the money and squander it and we (actors) never benefit from such goodwill.

“If they (government) can give us a structure or land, we (actors) can go ahead and secure funds from investors to build five-star hotels and other facilities on it, because it will be a tourist haven. We can bring the Nigerian Censor’s board into the same arena.

“How can we be paying N50,000 to have one movie censored and then generate N5m from over 100 movies produced in a month and yet there aren’t any structures in place for Nollywood? “With such amount of money, government should be able to cater for us. If this is done, the industry will make a giant stride.”

Besides the lack of infrastructure, Okafor also drew attention to what he described as an ‘ugly trend’. “Homosexuality is very rampant in our industry and it is one thing that aggravates my anger many at times,” he reveals.

Okafor would not go into details when this correspondent probed further. Although he made a name for himself playing ‘unserious roles,’ Okafor said many fans were unable to tell when he was serious.

“Many people do not take me seriously because of the kind of roles I play in movies. But the truth is that those who know me very well know that I am a very focused and principled person.

“In fact, I teach and mentor many upcoming actors and also organise workshops and seminars regularly for them.”

The actor said his love for acting dated back to his childhood days and that the streak ran in his family.

“I think I got the gift of acting from my grandfather. I discovered this in the early 70s. My grandfather was a foremost comedian in his own right. Back in the days, he would take me to places where he performed. Growing up, I realised that I was going to become an actor somehow,” he recalled.

The journey to the top was not an easy one for the determined actor. Having worked as a hairdresser, butcher, wait-and-get photographer and soft drinks seller at various points in life, he claimed to have found fulfillment in the world of make-believe.

The year 1994 proved to be the turning point in his career after he landed his first movie role in the movie, Rolling Stone. Okafor was paid a paltry N5,000 to star in the film, but that was then. Today, he has emerged one of the most sought-after and highly paid Nollywood actors who charges ‘six digits’ to feature in a film.

He said of his new status, “Acting has not made me rich, but I’m very comfortable. I am able to feed and adequately take care of my family; neither do I borrow money.

“It has also opened many doors for me and it has taken me far and wide beyond my wildest imagination. It has exposed me to certain level where I can say that God has done it for me.”

Despite his ‘unserious’ and hilarious imbecile roles, Okafor is one comic star who is blessed with a very beautiful wife. Although this is peculiar to most Nigerian comedians, the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, Mass Communication graduate, is of the opinion that she saw through his innate attributes before making a choice.

“First and foremost, I am man in all ramifications and she has seen that in me,” Okafor said coyly.

GOD PLEASE GIVE ME A DATE TO MARRY SELLY – PRAYE TIATIA

Big Jay of Praye fame is monitoring God, waiting for him to drop the appropriate date to marry his sweetheart Selly.

Selorm Ghalley who shot to fame after featuring on Big Brother Africa in 2013 has been dating Big Jay for five years.

The two have consistently affirmed their love in the media and are proud; they have been able to stick together despite their celebrity status.

“We are the only celeb 'couple' left in Ghana who are yet to get married”, Big Jay noted.

Big Jay also known as Praye Tiatia, insists despite a long date, marriage is still firmly on the cards.

"Every day I wake up I think about it. I mean for 5 years if am not planning to marry her, then I must be a fool", he said on Multi TV's Red Carpet entertainment show.

'Praye' meaning 'broom', a hiplife group comprised of Eugene Baah (Praye Ho Ne Ho), Steven Fiawoo (Praye Tiatia) and Nana Kwame (Praye Tenten). They shot into fame when they won the maiden edition of Nescafe African Revelation contest in Ghana, and went on to win the West African grand finale.

Praye Tiatia's music partner Praye Honeho (Eugene Baah) is already married to Beverly Afaglo.

Nonetheless the award-winning hiplife star, Praye Tiatia says he doesn't "want to feel pressurized" because "God's time is the best".

According to the hiplife artiste, the two "are still putting things together".

"At the right time when God gives me that date, I will bring it out", he promised.

MUSIC IS MY PASSION - AKWABOAH

After picking awards as the best song writer for Becca’s Daa Ke daa, Efya’s Best in Me, young highlife musician, Akwaboah needed a bigger platform to explore his singing abilities.

It was that which influenced the composition of his first single; I Do Love You last year. And for one who describes music as his passion, his voice and great highlife compositions, gradually revealed him as one of the artistes to push highlife music far.

“I am very passionate about music and particularly highlife because it gives us our identity. Music is part of our culture and defines who we are as a people and so I deem it as a responsibility to project what is unique of my people” he told Showbiz last Friday.

“Music, it is believed is the food of the soul but highlife music I think is the fresh meal that Ghanaians should always be served with”.

Currently competing with the likes of Joey B and Kumi Guitar for the New Artiste of the Year award, Akwaboah debunked assertions that he doesn’t qualify to be in that category because he had won numerous awards on the same platform.

“Yes, I have won awards at the VGMA but not as a singer but a writer. The songs were not mine, I only wrote the lyrics so I qualify to be nominated for New Artiste of the Year and I know that my chances are great to grab it.

“I am not in competition with other artistes but working hard to contribute my quota to the Ghanaian music industry after my dad, Kwadwo Akwaboah and my grandfather, renowned highlife artiste; the late Kwabena Akwaboah had duly paid their dues. It is time for me to pay my dues too” he stated.

He is currently working on the release of his debut album which is scheduled for release this September.

Akwaboah has four singles to his credit. They are; I Do Love You, Nsroma, Mesan Agye wo and Forever which features Okyeame Kwame.

He has played for several local and international artistes including Hugh Masekela. “When my album is done, Ghanaians will get to know my worth and substance not just as an artiste but as a singer”.

I WANT TO REDEFINE DANCEHALL MUSIC - MZVEE

Until recently, the only dancehall female artiste the industry could boast of was Kaakie but new entrant, MzVee believes she has what it takes to take dancehall music to the next level.

Having had a stint with music about two years ago as a member of the defunct D3 group, MzVee is back as a solo artiste to take her place in the world of music. She believes that the domination of dancehall music by males is over.

In an interview last week, MzVee, who is currently making waves with her new single, Borkor borkor which featured Zeal of VIP fame said the perception that dancehall music is a preserve for only male artistes should be discarded since it has become an attractive genre to most people irrespective of one’s background.

“Currently, dancehall music is attracting many people and it is not surprising that dancehall artistes continue to lead the charts. It is now evident that dancehall has become part of us so it is important to rebrand it to reflect our culture” she told Showbiz last week.

As a member of D3, the group, made up of Esbee, Adellynx and MzVee released songs like Good girl gone bad, So high and Daddy’s girl until their break up.

“I know that it won’t be easy as a solo artiste but the experience that I garnered when I was a member of the D3 group should guide me as I chart the lonely path.

The D3 group had plans to be Africa’s version of Spice girls or Destiny’s Child but all the big dreams have been quashed due to personal aspirations and I pledge to hold on to that dream till we get together again” she said.

Currently, under the management of Lynx Entertainment, MzVee, real name, Vida Hamenoo-Kpeba is hopeful that her yet to be released song, Natural girl with Stonebwoy will reveal her as a force to reckon with on the dancehall front.

“I have always wanted to do dancehall music and I am happy to pursue that dream. I also want to project the ‘Africanness’ in my music and that is the reason I keep a natural hair”, she said.

Apart from Borkor borkor, MzVee has done renditions of other songs and popular among them is Harmattan which is currently receiving considerable airplay.

“I want to redefine dancehall music and I am glad that my management has seen the talent in me and are grooming me the big stage. I have passion for what I do and glad for the public acceptance” she stated.

PRINCE DAVID OSEI ARRIVES IN USA FOR UNIVERSAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Actor Prince David Osei has touched down in the United States of America where he is expected to join a number of world stars for this year’s edition of the annual Universal Achievement Awards (UAA).

UAA is an annual award to recognize, celebrate and reward outstanding individuals for their hard work, dedication and impact on so many lives through their services.

The event is slated for Saturday March 22 at the Northland Performing Centre, 4411 Tamarack Blvd. Columbus, Ohio.

Among personalities expected to attend are Will Smith, Ice Cube, Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, Beyonce, and Queen Latifah, who were also nominated.

Prince David Osei was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for Ghana, alongside Chris Attoh and Ekow Smith Asante.

He left Ghana yesterday ahead of the ceremony on Saturday.

“It is a good thing to be nominated. I am looking forward to picking an award. But if I don’t, it is still a good thing. Being nominated alone tells me that my efforts are being recognized out there and I thank God for that,” Prince said before leaving Ghana.

JIM IYKE PROPOSES TO NADIA BUARI WITH A DIAMOND RING; SHE SAYS YES!

On yesterday's episode of Jim Iyke Unscripted, Jim proposed to his Ghanaian girlfriend actress Nadia Buari...and she said yes!

Jim said he designed the 6 carat diamond ring himself in different countries, including Sierra Leone, Ghana and Liberia and it was finished in London.

The proposal puts an end to the speculations and earlier denials by the two that they were planning to get married.
 

Big congrats to them. Another celebrity wedding coming our way.

The love birds are yet to officially announce their wedding plans.

KUMAWOOD IS A GREAT INITIATIVE - SHIRLEY FRIMPONG-MANSO

Award-winning filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso says it will be appropriate for Ghanaians to encourage and support the Twi movie industry rather than criticize them.

Speaking at an appreciation event for the MultiChoice Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA), the chief executive of Sparrow Productions noted that everybody – from the Kumawood to the English movies industry in Ghana – was trying hard to keep the industry alive.

“Sometimes I don’t understand why we are actually beating around the bush. Everybody is trying. People are using their own monies to actually keep this industry alive. Otherwise, we will not have anything at all.

“So we need to support and encourage instead of criticizing all the time. For me I think Kumawood is a great initiative. They are not anything that they don’t want to be and so I think encouraging us is even better,” the producer of the award-winning ‘Scorned’ movie stated.

Shirley directed the ‘Contract’ movie which swept over four awards at the just-ended AMVCA in Nigeria. The movie happens to be the first self-produced movie by actress Yvonne Okoro.

She added that movie producers from Ghana would be making an appearance at the Oscar Academy Awards if they had a pinch of resources available to Hollywood.

“For us, we think that if we get even one per cent of what Hollywood uses to do what they do, we can be at the Oscars every year. I will like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my fellow film producers.”

The Contract movie won Best Movie 2013, Best Movie Director, Best Writing (Drama) and Best Video Editing at the AMVCA, placing Ghana high in the African movie fraternity.

KOFI KINAATA INTRODUCES HIMSELF FROM GHANA TO THE WORLD

Like many artistes, it was the wish of rapper, Kofi Kinaata, to earn a nomination at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards for his works in the year under review but unfortunately, he did not make the list of nominations.

“It is every good musician’s dream to be recognised for doing a good job and I think my hard work should have earned me a couple of nominations in this year’s VGMA, but even though I missed out, I am still focused on what I enjoy doing” Kofi Kinaata told Showbiz in an interview on Tuesday.

According to him, the fact that his fans are fighting for him is enough evidence he worked hard last year. “Everyone is fighting for me because they know I made an impact last year, I should have been nominated for the New Artiste and Best Rapper categories, however, I want to tell my fans not to worry but rather support my music” he said.

Those nominated for the two categories Kinaata missed comprise Akwaboah, Joey B. and Kumi Guitar for New Artiste; and Sarkodie, Trigmatic, Manifest. EL and Guru for Best Rapper.

Real name, Martin King Arthur, Kofi Kinaata who is currently under High Grade Family management said anyone who hears him rap falls in love with his lines because they are clear and straight to the point. According to him, unlike most musicians who rap for the sake of it, he chooses his words carefully to address an issue. “I make my words so clear that those who cannot even speak Fante can understand clearly what I am saying.”

To him, one thing that makes him stand out is how he delivers on any track he has been featured on. “I have done a lot of single tracks but they are not known because I have not promoted those songs yet, however, the two singles I released last year Onnyi Chorus and Different made modest impact.”

About how he started his music career, Kofi Kinaata who has worked with musicians, Samini and Kesse said he started rap when he was young but started getting recognition at Takoradi Technical Institute where he schooled.

He added that he did a lot of rap battle on radio stations and many platforms during his schools days and that made him who he is today.

“My fans always wanted to hear what I was saying and kept it simple and clear, so it was not surprising most people like my rap on Castro’s Odo Pa.”

Born in Takoradi, Effiakuma, Kofi Kinaata explained that it was not difficult working with musician Castro because he knew what he was capable of.

He said Castro, Samini and a few other musicians who have seen him rap know he is good and always delivers.