DOCTORS, CINEMATOGRAPHY BOARD APPROVES 'EBOLA' MOVIE

After the leak on a try poster for Kumasi-based movie producer, Samuel Ofori’s upcoming movie on the deadly virus, Ebola; some concerned Doctors quickly proposed for a copy for preview.

This was to confirm if the movie isn’t the usual Kumawood style, and the production team was privileged to be at the doctor’s premiere over the weekend in Kumasi.

Surprisingly, Doctors of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital had a simultaneous line in an interview, a nurse from Atasemanso Clinic, Madam Dorcas Asibey said, “Indeed, the movie is very educative, hope the government comes on board to support the producer. The movie educates on the preventive measures. I love the new Kumawood.”

President of Cinematography Exhibition Board of Ghana (CEB)also approved of the movie, ‘Ebola’ officially adding a remarkable text, “We will call on the Health Ministry to assist this creative piece. Let us know when you will be in Accra, congrats!”

The Actor-cum-director, who was overwhelmed by the response, displayed the remarkable text from the Censorship board during the interview.
Well, the official poster is out now and a teaser that awaits a subtitled trailer.

"FOR EBOLA SAKE, LETS FAKE KISSING IN MOVIES"

Ghanaian actor Adjetey Annan, popularly known as Pusher has suggested that kissing in movies should be faked to prevent actors from contracting the deadly Ebola disease.

The actor in an interview with Joy FM proposed that stakeholders should find ways to make the movie industry healthier.

According to him, kissing in movies should be stopped at this period when the dangerous Ebola is widely spreading.

"These are different times in the country so whatever we are facing, we need to find ways and means of going around it to make our industry healthier.

There is a need for us not really to kiss, but to fake it, we should make it believable with the help of camera angle," he said.

Adding, “you can never know who has the disease. You can’t say that this guy looks healthy, so there is no problem with it. We can continue our kiss when things are clear about the disease.”

GHS50,000 FOR A KUMAWOOD MOVIE?

For those who have always had issues with movies produced in the Twi language and might have wondered how much goes into their making, report has it that it is very expensive to make a Kumawood movie.

Renowned Kumasi-based movie producer, Paul Gee, has told Flex newspaper that about GH¢50,000 is needed to make a standard movie.

Another producer and PRO of FIPAG Mr Michael Kwaku Ola also said actors such as Agya Koo, LiWin, Akrobeto, Kyeiwaa and Nana Ama Mcbrown to mention but a few would charge between Ghc.1500 and GHS 5000 cedis.

Ola Michael added that with the aged such as Katawere, who are quite weak and can't take many difficult roles, they won't take less than GH¢1,000.

All things being equal; a movie involving about 5 of these top names would cost close to GHS15000 just for payment of the cast.

This tells clearly that these movie producers are putting in so much to produce these movies, but the quality of movies produced would continue to engender controversy among movie lovers.

After all is said and done, one will have to come to the market to find out whether they can recoup the amount they invest into these movies or not.

BEFORE DISAPPEARING, CASTRO WAS WARNED ABOUT JANET BANDU

Several months have passed since sensational hiplife musician, Theophilus Tagoe, known in showbiz cycles as “CASTRO UNDERFYRE” and Janet Bandu went missing.

Castro had accompanied his pal and Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, and other friends for a weekend rendezvous at the 'Peace Holiday Resort' In Ada.

Peace FM had the opportunity to interview a close pal of Janet Bandu who gave a full account of what happened.

According to Alberta, Janet Bandu’s friend, upon the invitation of a male friend, she and Bandu travelled to Ada to have fun with Asamoah Gyan and Castro.

She reveals a live band team was hired to entertain them and so upon arrival at the resort, they danced till it was late night.

“We didn’t sleep early because of the live band music and woke up late the following day. The next day, Janet and I saw Castro and our friend Sammy riding on a jet ski and we asked if we could join them - but we were not allowed so we came up with an idea that if we should ask for a picture, they would allow us.

We requested for a picture and they allowed us on the jet ski… Janet sat behind Castro and I sat behind Sammy. As the ride begun, I overheard Baffour Gyan shouting at Castro that, Janet isn’t wearing a live jacket so he shouldn’t go far with her but because of the sound of the waves - it made it difficult for him to hear the caution.

All of us wanted to get to where Asamoah Gyan was going to play volley but both riders took different directions and that was the end,” she recounted.

As to whether a spirit caused the disappearance of Castro and Janet Bandu, Alberta said she can’t tell.

She explains that parents of the missing Bandu shouldn’t fault her over an accident she has no hands in. She rather urged them to have faith in the Lord rather than retort to blame games.

“When news went viral that Castro and Janet were missing, we downplayed it. This is because we saw their jet ski floating on the river and someone claimed they had gone somewhere… I am the same person who directed the family of Janet Badu to the place she was staying. They never knew what she did for a living and where she stayed. It is sad they are threatening me now over the issue”, she said.

As a witness, Alberta says she hasn’t been invited by the Police to even write a statement. She however pledged to appear before them if the request reaches her.

SIDIKU BUARI CAUTIONS MUSIC STAKEHOLDERS

The former President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Alhaji Sidiku Buari, and former Vice President of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), has called on the stakeholders in the music industry in Ghana to put their differences behind them and work as a team to move the music industry forward.

Speaking in an interview with BEATWAVES, Alhaji Sidiku Buari said the in-fighting within the organisation would not help the industry to grow, adding, “A united musician’s body will aid and promote our well-being.”

The former MUSIGA president, who was once chairman of COSGA Oversight Committee for eight years, said Ghanaian musicians have a lot to gain if only they would come together and work as a team, pointing, “In order to win the support of the music stakeholders, the Ghana Music Right Organisation (GHAMRO) management team should exhibit transparency in their activities.”

He stressed that the members of the GHAMRO board should also see themselves as stewards who are taking care of one other’s precious properties and for that matter should bring their activities unto the door steps of stakeholders to avoid speculations and suspicion.

Sidiku Buari also urged GHAMRO to organise seminars and workshops to educate the people, royalty distribution, collective management organisation, piracy, among others.

The former MUSIGA president again advised the leadership of GHAMRO to put in place measures that would guarantee regular income for the right owners.

With over 52 awards to his credit, Sidiku Buari, who was appointed in 2014 as the vice president of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM) and served with distinction until the end of his term in 2008, is one of the pioneers of movie production in Ghana with his first production, ‘Ayalolo’ showed commercially in all the cinema houses throughout the country.

DKB THREATENS TO SUE AKOO NANA

Comedian Derick Kobina Bonney (DKB) has reacted with resentment to the lyrics of a song, ‘yawa’ by hiplife musician William Ankrah popularly known as Akoo Nana and threatened to sue the musician.

He has threatened to sue the musician for what he considers disparaging remarks about him.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM, the comedian said he is disappointed in Akoo Nana for passing such comments about him.

“I’m disappointed in Akoo Nana, I swear if I listen to the song and it’s really true, he will hear from my lawyers,” he said.

Hiplife musician, Akoo Nana, who is not new to controversies, boasts in his latest song – Yawa – that he has flirted with the girlfriends and wives of some key entertainment personalities including D-Black, DSP Kofi Sarpong, and comedian DKB.

The musicians said in the song: “DKB – Your girlfriend left you and is now chasing me because of your scary and scarface.”

However, the comedian feels disrespected and offended by the lyrics of the song.

“People will forgive him but I wouldn’t, he can’t take people for granted,” DKB added.

"SUGAR DADDIES CHASED ME FOR SEX"

Bubbly Ghanaian actress, Lydia Forson has revealed that sugar daddies used to chase her during her university days at University of Ghana.

The 'Scorned' actress said these old men showered gifts on her expecting something in return, but she never fell for their tricks. Lydia Forson disclosed this when giving synopses for her yet-to-be released movie, 'A Letter From Adam' on Radio Univers.

“Basically I wanted to talk about a contemporary love story that is not overly sexual or dramatic but a real love story. This movie just explores relationships. The key relationship in this movie is an older man and a younger girl. You know most times when we talk about these old men, sugar daddies?”

She further chanted “Legon girls!! Legon girls!!" This cheer by the actress resulted in the question “whilst you were on campus, did any old man come to you?”

The actress answered “they will come, but it depends on the choice you make.”

She added that “if you are a girl and an old man has not approached you then there is something wrong with you. They will come, but the question is; did you allow? If you will buy free food for me why should I reject it? I like free stuffs, but it doesn’t go beyond that. I don’t like complicated things.”

According to the best actress award-winner at the 2010 African Movie Academy Award, she never rejected the gifts by these men because she did not ask for the gifts but they willingly gave it out, “I did not request for it, you gave it and that is not a sin. So if he is sending a credit I shouldn’t take it? God forbid.”

Lydia Forson further advised that men should not give gifts to ladies with the intention of expecting something in return, "you should not give anything to anyone in this world with the intention of getting something back.

When you do that, it diminishes everything you did. So when I see a guy who gives free gifts expecting to get something back, I will just take them, and you will never get what you want” she told Abrantepa, host of the mid-morning show, Brunch2Lunch.

'A Letter from Adam' premieres on September 19 at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra.

The first self-produced movie of Lydia Forson is a contemporary story about love, loss and hopes and will draw audiences into a realistic cycle of life seen through the pain of loss, the journey of self-discovery and the courage and strength to find hope in the face of adversity.

Set in the busy yet simple city of Accra, 'A Letter From Adam' seeks to give the audience an often neglected truth about love – that love doesn’t always come in the form one expects it to.