Some Kumawood stars
The name Kumawood is widely known and well accepted by folks in the movie fraternity as a name for film makers in Kumasi but information reaching Flex newspaper indicates that the stars are on the urge of boycotting the name Kumawood and serious meetings are ongoing.
According to the information, the film makers are angry because they think the Kumawood description connotes illiteracy and low achievement. In an audio recording, actor Benard Nyarko popularly known as Bishop lamented: “well, the name ‘Kumawood’ used for us, I think it is high time we did something about.”
“I remember that one day at a filling station in Accra a lady walked to me and started shouting: “here comes one of the Kumawood actors.” I did not like it. I am a Ghanaian and that makes me a Ghallywood actor. India has Bollywood, Nigeria also has Nollywood and so on, so we are pleading with the authorities to change the name Kumawood to Ghallywood,” he stated.
In a phone interview with movie producer extraordinaire Mr. Clement Amankwa, CEO of Christian Movies, he told Flex newspaper that stakeholders in the movie industry have formed a new association to help each other, and the name of the association shall be called Ghana Association of Movie Industry.
“GAMI Vision is an association which covers all stakeholders in the film industry, and our motto: securing our future the aims and objectives is to seek the welfare of all members of GAMI Vision and also to offer financial supports and life insurance to all members,” he said.
Will Gami Vision be chosen as new name for movie makers in Ghana, especially when Ghallywood and Kumawood are deeply rooted in people’s minds? Can film makers in Kumasi really jettison ‘Kumawood’?
