Kumawood Actor Kwaku Manu Highlights Lack of Unity and Unfair Financial Practices in the Industry.

 

Renowned Kumawood actor, Kwaku Manu, has voiced his concerns about the state of the Ghanaian movie industry, particularly Kumawood. According to the actor, there is a significant lack of unity among actors, a problem that has negatively impacted the industry’s growth and cohesion.

Kwaku Manu made these revelations during an interview on Fakye Showbiz shortly after attending the funeral of popular actor and skit maker, C Confion, who passed away in December 2024. The funeral, held on January 11, brought together numerous celebrities and industry players, showcasing moments of laughter and interactions among them.

These moments led fans to believe that the industry had regained a sense of unity, but Kwaku Manu was quick to dispel this notion.

“We are workers, not friends. When we are done working, everyone has their own circle of friends. You are only seeing us smiling and interacting like this because someone is dead,” he said.

Kwaku Manu also revealed that he had been sidelined for four years due to internal issues within the industry. He criticized Kumawood producers for prioritizing new and trendy actors over seasoned ones, a practice he argued undermines the contributions of long-standing actors who have been instrumental in building the industry’s foundation.

“When the industry got Kwaku Manu, they got Apostle John Pra and Akrobeto. When you feature all these actors, people would want to watch, and it would favour the producers. But what they do is take the money meant for paying the big actors and share it among the newly famed ones,” he lamented.

The actor noted that such financial practices not only affect the livelihoods of veteran actors but also contribute to the decline in movie quality and overall industry performance.

Kwaku Manu’s candid remarks have sparked discussions among fans and industry stakeholders about the need for reform in Kumawood. Many believe that fostering unity among actors and adopting fair financial practices are critical steps toward reviving the industry.

The lack of unity, according to Manu, has created an environment where collaboration is limited to specific projects or events, such as funerals. This, he said, stifles the growth of the industry and prevents actors from leveraging their collective influence to address shared challenges.

For Kumawood to thrive in an increasingly competitive entertainment landscape, addressing these issues is essential. Stakeholders must prioritize inclusivity, fairness, and collaboration to ensure that both seasoned and emerging actors benefit from the industry’s progress.

Kwaku Manu’s call for change highlights the need for open dialogue and actionable steps to address the challenges facing Kumawood. As fans and stakeholders engage with these revelations, many hope that the conversations will lead to meaningful reforms that restore the industry’s vibrancy and ensure its sustainability.

Kumawood remains a significant part of Ghana’s cultural heritage, but internal challenges, including disunity and unfair practices, threaten its future. Kwaku Manu’s insights should serve as a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize unity, fairness, and collaboration for the benefit of all stakeholders.