One-on-one interview with Adjetey Anang (Pusher)

There is no gainsaying the fact that Adjetey Anang has steadily meandered his way through to the top and currently remains one of the most adorable and relevant Ghanaian screen icons of our time. This is crystal clear as he continuously demonstrates through his profession that he is a flawless actor and radiates a personality of enviable reputation.

Adjetey Anang rose to fame in the late 1999 and the early 2000 when he played the character “pusher” in the rested TV series, Things We Do for Love, on GTV.

No doubt, many a youth mimicked his role in the series because they were mesmerized by his beguiling role in Things We Do for Love TV series.

In this interview with elvis1site.wordpress.com’s Effah Elvis, the multiple award-winning actor talks about his life and how he made it to the movie industry.

Elvis1site: good evening sir.

Adjetey: good evening

Elvis1site: shall we set the ball rolling?

Adjetey: yes we can

Elvis1site: let’s start on this note; tell me about yourself.

Adjetey: never easy to tell. But in a nutshell, I am your reserved kind of guy. Talks less, listens a lot and observes. The eldest of two children…got a sister.

Elvis1site: Wow….good to know

Adjetey: Are you married?

Adjetey: Yes, with a son of two years

Elvis1site: Can you take us through your educational journey?

Adjetey: I started school at Baptist Church School in Community 5, Tema. Then S.O.S School in Tema…then to primary school shared between Osu Home School and Soul Clinic. I went to the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon for my first degree. I then proceeded to University of Wits in Johannesburg (Joburg), South Africa for my masters.

Elvis1site: With your profession as an actor in view, how and why did you start acting?

Adjetey: Well, I had always loved movies from a very young age but never imagined I will be an actor. I was always fascinated by how actors took on characters that they were not and played it believably. So just after national service, a time I was still wondering what I will want to do, a friend of mine asked me to accompany him for a drama rehearsal at GBC during the time of TV Theatre Drama.

Elvis1site: Wow…. Very intriguing….

Adjetey: When I got to the rehearsal grounds, I met people like Sefa Kayi, Fred Amugi, etc. they were rehearsing a play for TV but then, one of the casts wasn’t present so the director asked me to step in to read that part so they could rehearse. I read it well like I saw in movies and after that everyone was staring at me.

Elvis1site: wow…

Adjetey: The director asked if I have done any serious work on acting. I replied, “No” except for Christmas and Easter plays at Primary School. So he promised to give me that part in the drama if I continue coming for rehearsal. Obviously, I thought it was a big joke…the next time, I went for rehearsal. It wasn’t because of the promise made but just for me to see and sit by the Sefa and Fred, etc. however, as fate will have it, the original actor never came back and indeed that ended up being my first TV play.

Elvis1site: hmmm….awe-inspiring.

Adjetey: after that drama, colleagues kept on encouraging and advising me that with the talent I had, I should take acting seriously. Still wasn’t too sure. But I was handpicked by the National Drama Company during a performance then at the National Theatre and I joined them for a couple of years. It was there that I was convinced that the film and Theatre Industry was where I had to be.

But for me, why I decided to make that huge step was for me to use my art to bring a smile to others, to inform and educate and transform lifestyles through my art.

Elvis1site: wow…impressive. In your tertiary days at University of Ghana, what programme did you read?

Adjetey: BFA and I majored in Radio, Television and Film

Elvis1site: what kind of roles do you prefer?

Adjetey: all sort for variety but I guess intense characters like “killers” in our local parlance more likely.

Elvis1site: ha-ha… what inspires such roles?

Adjetey: well, in my opinion, it is to alert society to be aware of characters out there who will take advantage of you or who will put you in harm’s way. By bringing those character role to life, I believe society will be wary of such people and help reduce the harm they cause to the whole fabric of society.

Elvis1site: that reminds me of your role in the movie “hunters”. It was well played.

Adjetey: thanks

Elvis1site: back to the matter of you accompanying a friend for a drama rehearsal; is this friend still in the movie industry? If yes, what’s his name?

Adjetey: he is still in the industry but minimal roles due to his new interests. His name is Wakefield Ackuaku. He was one of the GH casts in HBO’s Deadly Voyage.

Elvis1site: which movie really shot you to fame?

Adjetey: well let me edit that in my answer: the series “Things We Do for Love” did but the movie “perfect picture” extended it.

Elvis1site: was “Things We Do For Love” your first TV series?

Adjetey: yes, it was my first series.

Elvis1site: you are known in the public domain as “pusher”. Why this name?

Adjetey: “Pusher” is the character name I played in “Things We Do for Love” series.

Elvis1site: thinking back over your career to date, what has been your greatest achievement and how did you achieve it?

Adjetey: hmmm…not achieved yet. But I guess not allowing fame to some extent to change me makes me want to learn more each day and from anyone because we all bring some uniqueness in whatever we do. Perhaps, being able to let my Christian principles guide me. Never easy…always a tough fight.

Elvis1site: sure, I can guess so

Elvis1site: how would you manage a stressful or difficult day on set?

Adjetey: well, I will find a moment to talk to my friend: my wife. Or if I can’t reach her I will just switch to a happy calm mood.

Elvis1site: what skills are necessary for a person in your position?

Adjetey: training, education, humility, confidence and being not afraid to make mistakes. Try and try again….just some few.

Elvis1site: what is the most extreme change to your personality, hair, body and weight that you ever did to prepare for a role?

Adjetey: ermmmm…my hair had to grow bushy for the movie “Sting in the Tale”. I had to also hit the gym for some small muscles for “Potomanto” movie

Elvis1site: hehe… I see. What is your profession’s greatest challenge today?

Adjetey: it is the perception that talent is enough. It is good but not good enough. Training, getting the skill or education… that wins. Some level of discipline too is necessary.

Elvis1site: if you could change just one thing about the industry with the wave of a magic wand, what would it be?

Adjetey: lots of investment and skill injected into it.

Elvis1site: would you agree less if I say you are very humble and the best in the industry?

Adjetey: haha… I try to be humble and still hoping to be amongst the best.

Elvis1site: who are your idols in the movie industry?

Adjetey: well, idol is a strong word… rather settle for those who inspire me.

Elvis1site: haha….oooohk.

Adjetey: so David Dontoh has always inspired me with his presence of character on stage, Brew Riverson jnr for his discipline and principle in and without the industry, Majid Mitchel for his method of acting intensity and Nana Ama Mcbrown for her versatility.

Elvis1site: wrapping up on this interview, what advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do and the younger generation?

Adjetey: to do all they can to get some education with respect to the industry. Even if you cannot afford tuition fee, there are a lot of materials on the net about great actors who have shared how they made it to the top. Characterisation, character analysis, style, etc. you can access that which will enrich you. Post stuff on YouTube. Perform a scene and act out and post them for public view. Let your work speak for itself and don’t be quick to tell actors “I want to act because I love acting and I am good”. Your work should be your proof.

Adjetey: lastly, this industry won’t survive if we are not disciplined.

Elvis1site: any shout outs? Especially to your family. If possible, you can mention the name of your wife and child.

Adjetey: to Elorm and Ryan…. To all those loving fans

Elvis1site: thanks for this precious time spent together. I am eternally grateful.

Adjetey: most welcome…very best.