Entertainment
Ghana Movie Producers Impose Levy On Nollywood Actors
A recent report mak
ing the rounds in the Nigerian movie clan has it that the Ghanaian movie producers in Kumasi popularly called kumawood the real Ghana Local movie industry who intend to involve Nollywood and other foreign actors in their movies are now expected to pay a levy to the film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) and the actors guild.
It was gathered that the reason for the new development according to the president of FIPAG, Asere Hackman is that FIPAG is worried over what they termed as the influx of Nigerian actors and actresses into the local movie industry as a few of them have featured in famous Kumawood movies, a situation which appears to be gaining grounds in Ghana.
He argued that the move would prevent some Kumawood actors from getting roles in movies. He noted that the coming of Nigerian actors and actresses into Ghana to shoot their movie is a worry to the association basically because most of their movies are not in English.
The president further disclosed that a system has been put in place that before foreign artistes come to Ghana to shoot a movie, the Ghanaian producer who engaged the artiste will pay a levy to FIPAG and the Actors Guild before the artiste will be allowed to work.
However some Kumawood producers are said to have argued that if they pair the Nigerian actors and actresses with their Ghanaian counterparts there is the possibility of increase in sales of the movies, while some industry players have held that no producer will be mandated to pay FIPAG or Actors guild any levy should they decide to bring down foreign actors.
They also warned that the move by the Association might create problems for Ghanaian actors who also ply their trade in Nollywood.
It would be recalled that similar decision was taken by the Ghanaian producers in 2012 which led to battle of wits between the producers and Nollywood. The problem then was that the Ghana movie producers association announced its plans to charge each Nollywood actor featuring in a movie, a measure which did not go down well with the Nigerian producers who decided to ban Ghana actors who come to Nigeria to act in movies, but the matter was later resolved. It is feared that of the incident of 2012 rear’s up its ugly head again, the current cordial relationship between the two movie industries, might go awry.
Popular businessman and socialite, Pascal Okechukwu, aka Cubana Chief Priest, has said that his relationship with singer Davido is beyond money and gossip.
He stated this in a recent interview with BBC Igbo.
“Davido is my friend. He is my in-law; he married Chioma who is from Imo State where I hail from.
“So the relationship I have with Davido is beyond money and gossip,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that Chief Priest disclosed via his Instagram page that his outfit for the wedding of the singer, Davido and his wife, Chioma, in Lagos on Tuesday cost seven million Naira.
The socialite recently appreciated Davido for not “discarding” Chioma.
He stated that the DMW boss has made Imo State proud by choosing to marry from the state.
Nigerian singer Simisola Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has lent her voice to the ongoing anti-tax hike protests in Kenya.
The Tide’s source reports that Kenyan youths are marching against tax hike in widespread demonstrations tagged ‘RejectFinanceBill2024.’
Five people were shot dead and dozens wounded after police clashed with protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi on Tuesday, according to Amnesty Kenya.
Reacting via her X handle on Tuesday night, Simi declared her support for the demonstrators.
She stated that “it is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights.”
The singer wrote, “I stand with the people of Kenya. It is both powerful and heartbreaking for a people to have to fight and die for freedoms and rights. Godspeed and Strength. [Hash tag] RejectFinanceBill2024.”
In a series of other posts, she wrote: “Wow. When you’ve had enough, the fight is almost inevitable.
“African leaders- have not you done enough?
“I can’t wait for the day Africa is not a weapon fashioned against Africans. All of this amazing Black power and human resource, but the majority are not likely to thrive unless they run.”
Famous Nigerian Afrobeat singer, Davido was spotted among other top artistes at Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
Asake’s performance at his sold-out show at the 17,000-capacity State Farm Arena in Atlanta began on August 16, 2024, and is set to run for 10 days.
In a trending video on social media, Davido appeared backstage with American rapper Quavo to support Asake during the live performance.
Other musicians in attendance included Nigerian hitmaker Zlatan and American rapper Russ Millions.
The Tide’s source reports that Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’ tour is set to cover six U.S. cities, where he will headline notable venues including Madison Square Garden in New York, the Toyota Center in Houston, and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Asake’s tour comes just days after the release of his latest hit, ‘Lungu Boy,’ which features several superstars, including Wizkid, British rappers Central Cee and Stormzy, Travis Scott and Brazilian singer Ludmilla.
‘Lungu Boy’ set a new record for the biggest opening week on Spotify Nigeria, garnering 18.9 million streams in its opening week and breaking the previous record of 14.4 million streams held by Davido’s ‘Timeless.’