Restored peace in Dagbon will revive movie industry - Yushaw Jahinfo

The movie industry in Dagbon, headquartered in Tamale (Talewood), is hoping to improve marketing and sale of movies following the successful installation of the new Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, known traditionally as the Lion of the Dagbon Kingdom in January.

The industry, according to players, suffered gravely, and producers who were pumping their money into the business started recording poor sales because of absence of peace since the chieftaincy dispute surfaced in 2002.

Before the dispute, many of the producers who ventured into the movie industry, according to industry players could sell over ten thousand copies of CD's averagely, but the absence of peace and tranquility rather shot the market down to less than five thousand copies on average.

Alhassan Yushaw Jahinfo, President of the Northern Movie Industry who confirmed the development is unhappy with the current situation.

He expressed confidence that the market for sale of CD's will certainly bounce back following an absolute restoration of peace in the area with the installation of an overlord for Dagbon.

Speaking in an interview on Sagani Television, a pro-northern television, monitored by GhanaWeb's Daniel Kaku, during an exciting comedy show known as Ayiri Lari Bo, being hosted by one of the hilarious actors in Tamale known as Aumar Janda, the President assured viewers of the commitment of executive of the movie industry to bring back the exciting moments when the industry was thriving prior to the conflict.

He explained that many producers who were doing their best to position the industry quelled back following the 16 year chieftaincy disturbances that rendered virtually every business potentially impotent.

Usually, producers of movies in Tamale make their sales on market days in the towns and villages in the region. Aside selling the movies in stores, and at open places in all the major markets in Tamale they also travel to Yendi, Kariga, Diare, Kumbungu, Mion, Zabzugu, Bimbilla, Wulehi, Tolon, Tamping, Walewale, Daboya, Nalerigu, Mankarigu, Savelugu, Nyankpala among other popular markets to premier their movies, and for sales.

Alhassan Yushaw Jahinfo who has been in the industry for over two decades observed that the sector begun crumbling when the troubles of the conflict manifested and affected all the towns and villages hitherto patronizing their products.

Aside the conflict, he said an aggressive pirating cabal also surfaced out of the blue and with the use of technology to join hands in killing the industry with unfortunate abuse of copyright of genuine producers who were sinking their hard earned money into the industry to create jobs for many unemployed youth.

Observers say, the industry, though relatively unknown down south, and not been recognized nationally, has employed over two thousand people directly through production, marketing , sales, and roles for actors. It has also unearthed so many talents and created opportunities for many others.

Explaining how the movie industry could be protected and projected to stand firmily and contribute to national development, the President said only government could address challenges facing the industry including piracy.

" It is obvious that the industry requires assistance from government" he said.

He observed that apart from government, the customers patronizing the movies must also desist from buying from pirated platforms. He said comparably, Akan movies get viewers, and enjoy sales because, the customers are supporting talent with pride.

"Stop pirating and encourage the industry by buying the films, so that producers will stay in business", he advised customers.

Yushaw Jahinfo acknowledged the contribution of peace to the survival and growth of the industry "When peace thrives, our movie industry will succeed".

He expressed gratitude to all traditional rulers in Dagbon for committing themselves to the restoration of peace in the Kingdom.

He assured customers of quality movies in the coming days through competent producers working to position tge industry. He said viewers buying the CD's are the most cherished customers keeping them in business, and they ad executive recognize that with gratitude.

He said they will always welcome criticism from genuine customers and observers, but not those jealously attacking the industry for its destruction.