'Some nonsense must stop' - Sammy Rasta fires KAFA over Ashantifest

Samuel Owusu, known in industry circles as Sammy Rasta, has launched a sharp attack on executives of the Kumawood Ashanti Film Association (KAFA) over what he describes as a persistent and damaging conflation of Kumawood with stage productions.

He argues that this misrepresentation is stunting the growth of Ghana’s Twi-language film industry.

Speaking with Agyeman Prempeh on Power Entertainment on Power FM/Radio XYZ and TV XYZ, Sammy Rasta said his patience with the situation has run out.

“Some nonsense must stop. I am not putting blame on the minister. It is those at KAFA who I blame,” he said.

The filmmaker revealed that he raised no objection when last year’s Ashantifest featured a stage play alongside Kumawood actors, choosing instead to give the initiative, which he had initially welcomed as a promising platform for the industry, room to find its feet.

“Last year, we had the Ashantifest, and they brought a stage play to the event. At that time, I didn’t mind. They had Dr Likee and co. I just ignored it,” he said.

However, reviewing this year’s activity calendar, Sammy Rasta said he was struck with what he described as “utmost disbelief” upon discovering that the same approach is being repeated, with Kumawood actors once again being deployed in stage performances.

“This year, they are about to do the same, and they are still trying to use Kumawood actors for stage plays. This must stop,” he stated.

At the core of his frustration is a fundamental point about creative identity.

For Sammy Rasta, film and theatre are distinct disciplines that require different structures, investments, and strategic approaches, and treating them as interchangeable does a disservice to both.

“Kumawood is not stage plays. They are two different genres,” he said plainly.

He also questioned what concrete support, in the form of funded film projects or industry investment, the Ashanti Regional Minister and KAFA have actually delivered to the film sector since Ashantifest was launched, suggesting the festival has so far produced noise without substance for Kumawood practitioners.

Sammy Rasta warned that the continued misrepresentation of Kumawood will no longer go unchallenged.

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