“Kumawood is not a movie industry; it’s my brand”

At the hearing of the name 'Kumawood', what hurriedly comes in mind is the Kumasi movie industry.

Movies produced from Kumasi has been classified as Kumawood but CEO of Samdackus Initiatives, Mr. Samuel Kwabena Darko; the brain behind Kumawood and Akoben Movie Awards has revealed that 'Kumawood' is not a movie industry but the name of his awards ceremony.

Samdackus, as he is popularly known in Adom Tv's series 'Abrabo Mu Nsem' in an interview with zionfelix.com, opined that “people refer to Kumasi movie industry and movies from Kumasi as Kumawood, that is wrong.

I personally don’t have a problem with the lame man making that mistake but when professionals who are to know more also follow what the multitudes are saying, then I start to worry,” he said.

According to Samdackus, “You might think it is to promote my brand but it goes the negative way. Some people don’t know it is the name of the awards until Kumawood and Akoben Movie Awards is held."

"Even with that they think it is an awards ceremony organized by the industry but it is not so. Companies start to look at me with their two eyes when I approach them,” he indicated.

The actor and movie producer added that he was ready to let the name go if he is approached for the name to be officially used for Kumasi movies.

He further affirmed, “I’m ready for the name to be used for our industry; it will even be an achievement in my name but the right thing must be done."

"I know Bill Asamoah (Kumasi Actors Guild President) has made this correction several times but it has made no impact so it won’t be bad using the name for the industry since erasing it from people’s mouth won’t work,” he added.

Speaking about this year’s Kumawood and Akoben Movie Awards, Mr. Samuel Kwabena Darko said they are partnering with Multi TV for this year’s award.

Adding that entries for nominations will be opened on Friday, September 26 on their website kumawoodgh.com. He further added that the awards which be launched October 13 is slated for the last Saturday of the year 2014.

Samdackus further pleaded with Ghanaians to support the awards ceremony the awards that seeks to promote local movies.

President John Dramani Mahama honoured Mr. Samuel Kwabena Darko, CEO of Samdackus Initiatives at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi in 2012 for promoting indigenous films.