Yaw Dabo Champions YouTube as the Future of Ghanaian Movie Industry Amid Don Little Controversy
Popular Ghanaian actor Samuel Yaw Dabo has made headlines after boldly stating that YouTube is more profitable than selling CDs, a stance that has stirred debate within the local film industry. According to Dabo the digital era is not to blame for the decline of the Kumawood industry; rather, it offers creatives more control, transparency, and income opportunities.
Speaking in a recent interview, the Kumawood star defended YouTube as a game-changer for filmmakers and actors. YouTube gives creatives more control over their work and income, Dabo explained. He highlighted that, unlike the CD era when actors and producers were at the mercy of CD distributors who often failed to report sales accurately. YouTube provides a transparent system where earnings are based directly on views and performance metrics.
Creators are paid based on views, and they can monitor how their content performs,” he emphasized.
Dabo also revealed that some actors are currently earning significant amounts through YouTube productions. He added that those who have adapted to the digital transition are thriving financially, in some cases earning more than they did during the CD era.
His statements sharply contrast those of veteran actor Akrobeto who recently lamented the collapse of the physical CD market. Akrobeto believes that the end of CD distribution has negatively impacted the structure and earnings of the local movie industry. He cited poorly developed storylines and the lack of international reach as other contributing factors to the industry’s struggles.
Yet, some fans and social media users are siding with Yaw Dabo. Comments like “Dabo is an intelligent speaker and Everything he’s saying is on point” have flooded platforms, suggesting growing support for his pro-digital stance.
However, while championing YouTube as a profitable platform, Yaw Dabo has also been in the spotlight for another reason his public criticism of colleague Don Little following a viral video.
In the footage, Don Little appeared wobbly and unsteady while attempting to enter his car late at night. Spectators claimed he might have been intoxicated. The video drew condemnation from Dabo, who called out his fellow actor for putting his life and the lives of other road users at risk.
I always talk to my brother, Don Little. You’re a star. You have to know that in all you do. You need to move with someone who can at least take the car when you get drunk, Dabo said.
He added that celebrities must set an example and avoid reckless behavior.
“What I’ll tell him is that he must not gamble with his life and that of others. When you’re drunk, you put your life at risk. That incident must never happen again.”
This is not Don Little’s first encounter with controversy. In 2023, he was involved in a serious incident where he allegedly knocked down a motor rider in Kasoa while rushing a friend to the hospital. He was later arrested for reportedly assaulting a police officer during the arrest. Footage of the altercation surfaced online, raising questions about celebrity conduct and accountability.
Don Little, a former protégé of Funny Face who himself has faced legal trouble for drunk driving and causing harm has yet to respond publicly to Dabo’s criticism.
In an industry navigating a digital transformation and public scrutiny, actors like Yaw Dabo are calling for both professional adaptation and personal responsibility. His message is clear: the future of the Ghanaian movie industry lies in digital innovation and the safety and integrity of its stars.