Weekly Discussions, Let’s Get Talking: Why This Animosity and Loathing Between Ghana & Nigeria?

Ghana and Nigeria are not far from each other in terms of geographical proximity. I stand to be corrected on this; I believe that in terms of culture and lifestyle, the two countries are not substantially different.

Sometimes, I find it thorny to distinguish between a Nigerian girl and a Ghanaian girl when they pass me on the street. Most of the important people in my life are Nigerians. What If I told you my girlfriend or baby’s mother is a Nigerian? To me, Nigerians are not merely our neighbours, they are our sisters and brothers and we share a lot in common than in difference.

On this platform and many others including “outside the virtual world”, there is a growing animosity and loathing between most Ghanaians and Nigerians. I have heard a Nigerian saying, I will never date a Ghanaian and have also come across a Ghanaian saying, I will never date a Nigerian. I do not only find this absurd, but also very shallow.

I believe any person who is not acute mentally constipated will not indulge in any typical stereotyping attitude by just having a prima facie mindset that, Nigerians are this or Ghanaians are that without having had any encounter to justify such malevolent thinking, Read More

http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2010/06/weekly-discussions-lets-get-talking-why-this-animosity-and-loathing-between-ghana-nigeria/

At long last, a platform for all Africans including Nigerians is out, Let us Talk about Africa, Let us discuss Africa at http://www.africadiscuss.com

Just Log On Now at www.africadiscuss.com and tell your friends about it too. see you there,

To be frank, it has been so annoying over the last few months with so many Nigerian Actors, Actresses and Producers complaining about the influx of Ghanaian movie stars into Nollywood. They have been advising and admonishing themselves to stop using Ghanaian stars in Nollywood as they see these Ghanaian  stars are parasites and fully dependant on Nollywood.

Do not get me wrong, I am a champion of, inter alia, globalization, free trade and putting forces together between Ghana and Nigeria to build a strong movie industries. But it is disgusting and makes you feel “poo” as a jingoistic Ghanaian when you read or heard about such unfounded comments  from Nigerian Stars. I vividly remember one saying,  ”These Ghanaians are taken over our industry and to worsen it all, they have started even featuring in the Yoruba movies which we tend to keep to our self”.

Now here is what we got for them as things are getting better in our home too. You started it and we will help finish it for you. The last year saw a great success in the Ghanaian movie industry, Nigerians might have produced in quantity than Ghanaians , but in terms of quality, we were able to battled them head to head. Do I have to prove it by refering you to the African Movie Academy Awards nominations and winnings?.

On their constant out cry to stop  the incursion of Ghanaian stars into their industry, One of the best and first  movie production houses to bring Nigerians to Ghana, Venus Movies have stated categorically that, they have stopped and would not be using Nigerian movie stars anymore. Whether it is a good move or a bad one, I am down with them as the adage goes, bosom for Tat is never a sin. Read and listen to the audio below…

The most consistent Ghanaian movie producer of our time Alhaji Abdul Sallam Mumuni, C.E.O of Venus Films Production, has said that he has stopped using Nigerian actors and actresses in his movies.

Speaking to peacefmonline during the premiere of his new movie “4Play” at the Silverbird cinema on Friday June 4, 2010, he said he doesn’t see the need to import actors and actresses from Nigeria, when there are brilliant and perhaps better actors and actresses in Ghana who can interpret his stories well for Ghanaian movie lovers in every part of the globe, ReadMore,  http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2010/06/bosom-for-tat-is-not-a-sin-right-i-have-stopped-using-nigerian-actors-actresses-abdul-sallam-mummuni/

Ghana Has Also Started A Forum Like This, Hope they make there nice too http://joinghana.com

In our effort to find the truth to the story originally published by NigeriaFilms.com captioned:Ghanaian Actress Yvonne Fights On Set, Ghanacelebrities.com this morning phoned Yvonne Nelson to hear her side of the story since we know her not to be the kind who will result to such behavior.

Yvonne Nelson of Princess Tyra Fame was dismay when she heard about the publication of this story and explained that, she had 7 days contract to shoot in Nigeria with a movie production company. However, the company delayed to the extent that she had to stay extra day for this shooting. She was displeased about this as it was a clear breach of contract and confronted them when she was asked to stay extra day. She said “I am not a boxer so why would I even want to fight, this is ridiculous”

Yvonne Nelson further said in our telephone conversation that, her confrontation did not coil into any fight but the media house apologized to her for the inconvenience caused. She is still not happy about what happened since she missed her flight to Ghana and had to pay the penalty from her own pocket. The production house has called her several times from Nigeria to render their unqualified apology to her and she cannot understand why such a story would be told to NigeriaFilms.com.

When Ghanacelebrities.com phoned Yvonne, She was shooting a Movie called Material Girl alongside popular Ghanaian Actor Kofi Adjorlolo among others.

It seems Nigeria Movie Production Houses are taking our dear actors and actresses for granted. 7 days contract should be 7 days and not 8 days. I bet Yvonne would not allow Movie Production Companies to manipulate their ways and change terms and conditions of contracts anytime they want.

Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com

http://www.whatsupal.com come there and lets chat, new worldwide chatroom for all people. no racism please.

Show Some R-e-s-p-e-c-t Nollywood!
   
I recently read an article by Nigerian columnist Samuel Olatunji titled “I-n-v-a-s-i-o-n! Ghanaians eclipse Nollywood stars,” which left me utterly dizzy with confusion. The irony here is that I should have been infuriated by the article rather than appalled.  In the article, the author expresses concern over the increasing number of Ghanaian actors starring in Nigerian movies and the urgent need for producers to put an immediate stop to this trend. While the title of the article itself is beyond disrespectful to the Ghanaian Movie Industry, it was the content of the article that got me riling –it speaks volumes.

Well Mr. Olatunji I have series of questions for you. Where were you between 2002 and 2004 when the Ghanaian movie scene was literally dominated by Nollywood actors? Where were you when Nollywood actors were offered lead roles while Ghanaian actors played supporting roles in their own country? Where were you when these nollywoods stars were paid twice or even more than the Ghanaian actors? Where were you when Nigerian movies dominated the Ghanaian market scene? Where were you when loads of Nigerians films were trucked into the country on a regular basis while Ghanaian movies were being shelved? Hmmm…let me take a wild guess here, it wasn’t a Nigerian invasion then; “abi!?”

The article not only promotes division among the two movie industries, it also reaffirms existing prevalent mentality of Nollywood preeminence over the Ghanaian Movie Industry. When reading the article one gets the impression Ghanaian actors aren’t good enough and do not deserve roles in Nollywood.

The article shed light on the territorial nature of Nollywood. It seems most Nollywoood critics are content when foreign actors straddle the fringes of its borderline. However, any attempt to become deeply immersed in the industry is met with some form of resistance; as such positions or roles are “rightfully” reserved and entitled to Nollywood actors.  The ability to freely express one’s self artistically shouldn’t be restricted, as the word entitlement and artistic are just not compatible in this context. Ooh by the way, Mr. Olatunji, please add a touch of professionalism to your work next time!

Below is  Samuel Olatunji’s article

I-n-v-a-s-i-o-n! Ghanaians eclipse Nollywood stars

Just like many alien invasion movies we've watched, the film industry in Nigeria, better known as Nollywood, is fast experiencing its own kind of 'alien' invasion.
The invasion is not done by some monstrous-looking beasts with camera in their hands. Neighbouring Ghanaian stars are actually the ones invading our dear Nollywood like 'pests' according to an insider.

Peaceful collaboration that most keen watchers of Nollywood thought was just another marketing gimmick has fast snowballed into a major pain in the neck of Nigerian superstars. Nigerian movie marketers, who are the financier of most Nollywood films, now prefer to use Ghanaian actors and actresses than their Nigerian counterparts.

The situation has degenerated to the extent that Nigerian A-list actresses and actors now play sub-lead roles in movie industry where they used to hold sway. An actress told this reporter on condition of anonymity that the only reason marketers still use Nigerian stars in their movie is simply for marketing purposes. As expected, worst hit of this trend are the A-list actors and actresses. One of them told Showbiz Now that marketers are to blame and accused them of trying to destroy the industry they helped build.

Hardly is any movie released now in Nigeria without a Ghanaian playing a major role. Nollywood starts now play second fiddle to their counterparts who used to look up to them as stars.
The reason for this disturbing trend, according to a marketer is simply marketing. 'We invest in movies as business ventures not as charity or on ground of sentiments.

Our movies now sell very well in Ghana compared to Nigeria where sale of movies is sliding by the day. In order to recoup our investments, we have to take our goods to where the market is. Unfortunately for Nigerian stars, we have to sell since our home market is falling apart, and that means we have to use to what will give us leverage in their market. You can't expect them to buy a movie that has only Nigerian stars. If we want to sell well, we have to use their stars, unlike before. I must confess to you that it is working.'

But an actor who also prefers to remain anonymous told us there are more to the issue than what the marketer told us. 'The truth is that Nollywood will soon die and if it does, we would hold the marketers responsible. Ghanaians don't pay tax here, yet they come here in droves, make money and return to their country to live lavishly. The reason marketers use them more now is simply because of greed. They charge less and permit me to say, they don't act too well. But our marketers will sell their souls to gain extra kobo. Why would they want to use us when we charge them and deliver premium quality when there is someone who will charge less and probably deliver less? They prefer the extra cash to quality. Nigerian movies will sell anywhere, whether it has an all Nigerian cast in it or not,' he fumes.

Another dangerous twist to this issue is that marketers are now going as far as Sierra Leone, Liberia and other African countries scouting for artistes that would give their works marketing leverage. And most of the time, marketers hold up production for them and adjust shooting time to fit their schedules.

And to make matters worse, Ghanaians don't extend same gesture to our stars here and there is even unofficial communiqué that any Ghanaian film producer that uses Nigerian stars would be blacklisted. This explains why no Nigerian actor has featured of late in a Ghanaian movie.
The development is not going well with Nigerian stars and some marketers feel the trend is unfavourable.
Jackie Appiah, Nadia Buari, Nana Ama McBrown and Van Viker are at the forefront of the invasion of Ghanaian actors' invasion.
What will happen next? Marketers and stakeholders bare their minds next week.


source:www.ghanacelebrities.com

No, she is no half lebanese, stop lying to yourself

who said she is a mixed race? she is never a mixed race, get your facts well.

The Ghanaian movie industry has at this point not announced and official name for its Ghanaian film industry as with the case of Americas Hollywood, India’s Bollywood, and Nigeria’s Nollywood, and co. For that reason, in this article Ghanaian actors and actresses are referred to as exactly that, instead of a representative name.
May the public be aware of proposed names as; Gollywood; Ghollywood; Ghallywood; and Ghanawood. None of which has been used as the representation of Ghanaian movie industry in this article, It made producing this article a long process (an example as seen with the above title).


It is a widely known and popular subject which takes the title of ‘Ghanaian artists and actors/actresses are being treated poorly in comparison to their Nigerian counterparts’.


Nigerian movies started overtaking the Ghanaian market from year 2003:
Ghanaians realised the sub-standard nature of Ghanaian movies, thanks to Ghanaian producers, as compared to Nigerian movies they bought or watched on TV stations, This obviously made Nigeria very happy, Ghanaians hailed Nigerian stars in Ghana and disdained their own industry. Nigerians were collapsing the Ghanaian movie industry with movie themes of voodoo and others, with the likes of Genevieve, Omotola, Emeke, Ini, Ramsey to name a few and the rest. The Ghanaian movie industry almost collapsed but the likes of Agya Koo, Kataware, Nana Ama McBrown, Mercy Asiedu, Kalsum Sinare, Kyeiwaa and the rest (many thanks to other Ghanaian actors/actresses who’s names have not been mentioned here) who kept the industry going.


According to Ghanasenetertainment.com: When a Nollywood actor or actress acts in a Ghanaian movie, they always have the lead role.
Simira Yakubu (The winner of the best Best Make-up and Best Costume for PRINCESS TYRA- Africa Academy Movie Award) revealed that Ini Edo was initially chosen for the Princess Tyra Role.
Yvonne Nelson did a wonderful job.
And when a Ghanaian actor or actress crosses over to Nollywood, they play the sidekick or just to be safe, the Producers cast them along with top Nollywood stars in the game.
It is said to be obviously due to the lack of Ghanaian actors/actresses lack of talent (some of them), they are usually overshadowed. i.e. Genevieve Nnaji and Jackie Appiah in BRAVE SOUL.
Also Joseph van Vicker has stated that the actors and actresses in Nigeria look down on Ghanaian actors. Jackie Appiah has confirmed and stated the same thing as well.






I think Africans find it hard to learn from our own, but find it easy to learn from a Westerner. Jobs are given to foreign coaches to train African teams and we’re comfortable with that, but aren’t able to find common grounds to work together for better with other Africans. It no longer makes logical sense that Nigerian actors and actresses might be given lead roles in movies because at this point in time their faces are more recognizable than the Ghanaian actors/actresses; Ghanaian actors/actresses are becoming more and more identified in both Ghana and Nigeria, and also the wider sub-Saharan Africa movie scene. You barely watch any new Nigerian movie without seeing a Ghanaian actor/actress being featured. And its because its what the people want, not just in Ghana, but in Nigeria even more!



It is a fact; Nollywood has helped introduce Gollywood/ Ghollywood/ Ghallywood/ Ghanawood to the world,

Gollywood must rise shey!

Ghanaian actors and actresses are now directing their attention towards Nollywood; It is only natural that Ghanaian actors/actresses seek a better career, not to say that the Ghanaian industry is not good, but perhaps not as supportive as Nollywood and for that reason that should potentially be where Ghanaian actors/actresses aim at working in. After many years of Nollywood having precedence of the Ghana movie industry, at this instant Ghanaian actors/actresses should do their thing.

“, this is the right time for Ghanaian actors/actresses to storm Nollywood. I don’t care whether Ghanaians act good or bad: this is the time, why are you guys complaining now?”
Drizzla, Nima Accra Ghana- Nigeriafilms.com



But now, Nollywood says Commot!
From Nollywood criticism has emerged and is continually rising.

“Just like many alien invasion movies we’ve watched, the film industry in Nigeria, better known as Nollywood, is fast experiencing its own kind of ‘alien’ invasion.
The invasion is not done by some monstrous-looking beasts with camera in their hands. Neighbouring Ghanaian stars are actually the ones invading our dear Nollywood like ‘pests’, ” SAMUEL OLATUNJI- Nigeriafilms.com

At this point, it is being called an invasion, in Nigeria from Ghanaian actors/actresses.

Talks talks and more talks of reasons why, from how
Ghanaian actors/actresses cost less than their Nigerian counterparts,
Ghanaians actors/actresses speaking with a different accent of which there is a Nigerian market demand for,
Ghanaian actors/actresses being more pretty,
or just the looking for new faces talk.


Can we just get along?
There have been films where Ghanaian actors/actresses and Nigerian actors and actresses have shared equal billing, for example, "Beyonce and Rihanna" where both Nadia Buari and Omotola J. Ekeinde as the lead characters, none of them was playing second to another in that film, they were equals. Joseph van Vicker (polurarly known as Van Vicker. NOTE: and his name is Joseph van Vicker, not Van Vicker, ‘van’ is part of his surname, as it is in the case of Osama bin Laden, his name is not Bin Laden) and Stephanie Okereke have also shared billing in "Love is Wicked."

The fact remains, Nollywood has helped introduce Gollywood/ Ghollywood/ Ghallywood/ Ghanawood to the world, appreciate the unity!
“, this is why as Africans, we can never go anywhere.”

Hollywood uses actors from all over the world and never feels threatened, To penetrate the Nigerian market, which is seen as one of the gateways to sub-Saharan Africa entertainment and media.
Let it be a known fact that most Nigerian Producers pay and invest more than Ghanaian producers do.

We have talks about Nigerian musicians starting to overtake Ghanaian musicians in Ghana, but we also have the likes of Ghanaian Hiplife group VIP actually immigrating to Nigeria; and Ghanaian musicians using Nigerian slangs, common phrases, and style of music. Its got to the extend where we’re having sell-outs!

Ghanaians, if we have become so good, come back to Ghana and flourish!


Nollywood Sell Outs (the forefront of the Ghanaian actors’ invasion)

- Jackie Appiah
- Nadia Buari
- Kofi Adjorlolo (He doesnt even make Ghanaian movies anymore)
- Nana Ama McBrown
- Yvonne Nelson
- Joseph van Vicker
*Maijid Michel is being awaited

Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com

Time and time again I have asked this question; who is a celebrity? I posed this same question to couple of people and well as expected I was given a variety of definitions. Nonetheless, the most interesting response was “a celebrity is a person who is in the limelight.” This particular response got me thinking; when we say one is in the limelight do we mean the people who for various reasons have adorned the front pages of newspapers?
What about the faces we see on TV, and the voices on radio? A friend told me “Massa, u see say Ataa Aryi (the popular armed robber in Ghana) be celebrity now?” if I should go by the definition above, I think Ataa Aryi has attained that status. Anyway, let’s take a look at what the dictionary says about who a celebrity is. The oxford dictionary defines a celebrity as “a famous person or the state of being well known.”

Now back to my question; who is a celebrity? Is it the armed robber who for over 6 months festooned the front pages of all the newspapers? Or the rich man who had the biggest wedding which attracted massive media attention? Is it the hot new artist with chart topping album and smash hit single or the new actor or actress on the movie scene? Oops, almost escaped me; what about the popular man of God who performs unimaginable miracles and is tipped to be God’s favorite? The fetish priest? The TV/radio personality? Ok the big spenders/club owners? Hmm… the controversial journalists? Hey! What about the sports stars?



What are the criteria for being a celebrity? There are various factors that come into account when defining or determining who is a celebrity. Of course we have a different pop culture from the west and it will be absurd on my part to employ the western “evaluation sheet” here. Thus, who a celebrity is boils down to how these individuals are perceived by the general public, and oh don’t forget to throw in the attention magnet scale too. In your own opinion, who do you think is a celebrity?

Source:http://www.ghanacelebrities.com