‘Dumsor’ collapsed Ghana film industry – Agya Koo blames Mahama

Kumawood star, Kofi Adu famously known as Agya Koo, has discussed the factors behind the decline of Ghana’s once-thriving film industry, emphasizing how power outages during John Dramani Mahama’s presidency significantly affected the sector.

“I won’t shy away from the fact that the power issues during Mahama’s time had a huge impact on our industry,” Agya Koo stated in an interview on Lawson Radio. “Filmmakers depend on reliable electricity to create their work, and without it, production slows down. It contributed to the decline of our industry, and sadly, it wasn’t the only issue.”

With a career spanning decade, Agya Koo has been one of the most influential figures in the Ghanaian film industry. Yet, his reflections on the sector’s current state reveal the challenges it has faced in recent years.

Known for his roles in Kumawood films, Agya Koo expressed his disappointment over how power outages delayed film production, affecting both output and the consistency needed for the industry to thrive.

While he acknowledged that power issues played a significant role, Agya Koo also stressed that it was not the sole cause of the industry’s struggles.

In the same interview, Agya Koo addressed rumors about his role in the industry, including claims that he had elevated himself to a “demigod” status.

“Those accusations are baseless,” he firmly asserted. “Yes, I played a major part in the growth of Ghanaian cinema, but I didn’t treat myself like royalty. In the beginning, I didn’t even charge for my work. I just wanted to push the industry forward.”

He further explained that it wasn’t until later in his career, after establishing himself as a leading actor and producer, that he began requesting a modest fee for his work. “People need to understand that I wasn’t trying to create a sense of entitlement,” Agya Koo said. “But as I became more well-known, I had to take my career seriously and ask for compensation for the work I was doing. That’s when the jealousy started to creep in.”

His comments offer insight into the complex dynamics of the Ghanaian film industry, where the success of early pioneers often leads to both admiration and criticism.