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Putting Winners Never Quit Into Practice

By ICACA AfricaSankofa
Movie Putting Winners Never Quit Into Practice
MAR 10, 2010 LISTEN

How many times do you watch African movies and videos? Apart from few flaws, what suggestions do you have for our cultural ambassadors? If you are live outside Ghana, have you noticed the illegal sales (bootlegging) of those movies? Is'nt most of these illegal sales being done by some so-called people with strong faith in God? Who do we think we are kidding? Is it okay for journalists to label some of our performing artistes veterans? Is Africa giving right recognition to its own hard working performinga artistes?

Okay, the news below will tell you more. Dear Reader, Keep reading and leave your comments>

Akofa Ejeani Stirs AMAA Awards
"VETERAN ACTRESS Akofa Asiedu Ejeani was the centre of attention at this year's African Movie Academy Award Nominees Party as she could hardly conceal her excitement when 'I Sing Of A Well', a movie she produced, single-handedly topped the nominations list with 11 nods.

In December last year Akofa was criticized when the movie's director, Leila Djansi, publicly lashed out at her for choosing to also play the lead role in the film.

According to Leila, Akofa's character deprived the movie of star quality. But Akofa decided to let sleeping dogs lie, declining to react to the director's comments, saying only that “It will be too childish to reply”.

I Sing Of A Well's nominations obviously surprised everyone last Saturday, including the actress herself, who appeared overwhelmed by the total number of nominations. She was animated as she posed for the paparazzo.

Shirley Frimpong Manso also received 11 nominations for two of her movies; 8 for 'Perfect Picture' and 3 for 'A Sting In A Tale'. The controversial movie 'The Heart of Men' received 5 nominations whiles Venus Films' 'The King Is Mine' and 'Prince's Bride' received 1 nomination each. Hero Productions' 'Sin of The Soul' also picked up two nominations.

In all, Ghana garnered a total of 31 nominations, only 7 movies behind Nigeria, and 14 Ghanaian movie personalities were nominated in various categories.

Martha Ankomah and John Dumelo received promising actress and actor nominations for their roles in 'Sin Of The Soul' and 'The Heart Of Men' in that order.

Godwin Kotey and Adjetey Annan were nominated for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for their movies 'I Sing Of A Well' and 'Perfect Picture' respectively.

Yvonne Nelson and veteran actress Doris Sakitey were nominated for their supporting actress roles in 'Heart Of Men' and 'A Sting In A Tale' respectively.

Yvonne Nelson's nomination in the supporting actress category for her role in 'Heart of Men' is however raising eyebrows just like Adjetey Annan's supporting actor nomination for 'A Sting In A Tale' since they were both lead characters in their movies.

Jackie Appiah, Lydia Forson and Naa Ashoku Mensa-Doku were all nominated in the best actress category for their roles in 'Perfect Picture'. Akofa Ejeani Asiedu was also nominated in that category for her role in I Sing Of A Well.

Screen 'bad boy', Majid Michael is up for the best actor award for his role in 'Sin Of The Soul', while John Osei Tutu Agyeman also received the same nomination for his performance in 'I Sing Of A Well'.

Leila Jewel Djansi and Shirley Frimpong Manso were nominated for directing 'I Single Of A Well' and 'Perfect Picture' respectively.

Nigeria has a total of over 41 nominations. Nollywood's classic movie 'The Figurine' received 10 nods while another titled 'The Child' came close with 8 nominations.

'The Talent' followed suit with 6 nods. 'Lilies of The Ghetto', 'Nnenda', and 'Freedom in Chain' got 3 nominations each, while 'High Blood Pressure' got 2. 'Suara La', 'Adventure of Alayo', 'Bariga Boys', 'Innovating for Africa' and 'Omo Iya Kan', are all nominated.

Malawi's single movie, 'Season Of A Life', received 8 nominations ahead of Kenya who annexed five with two movies; 'Togetherness Supreme' and 'Peace Wanted Alive'. Uganda and South Africa had four nominations, with Algeria and Burkina Faso walking away with two nominations each. Tanzania, Mozambique, Egypt and Ethiopia had one each.

This year's award ceremony, which will be held in Bayelsa State, Nigeria on April 10, appears to be a big battle between Nigeria and Ghana.

The nomination party, which brought together actors, actresses, directors and producers from all over the continent to interact and exchange ideas about the African film industry, included music performances from Ghana's Sherifatu Gunu, J. Martins, Ben Brako and Edge as well as some enthralling modeling from the Exotique Modelling Agency.

Majid Michel, Adjetey Anang, Osita Iheme, Akintola Abimbola Mary-Anne, Amijo Mofe Richard, Ali Nuhu, Rita Dominic, Jackie Appiah, Lydia Forson and several others were present at the event.

The night commenced with a red carpet hosted by MCs for the night; Nollywood actor Segun Arinze and broadcaster/presenter Kat.

After the elaborate red carpet affair that saw magnificent interviews, photography and fashion, it was time for the main event which was interspersed with speeches and solidarity messages from the likes of Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry as well as a representative of the Governor of Bayelsa State.

In her speech, Peace Anyiam Asigwe, the President of the AMAA, emphasized that although there is a category dedicated to Nigerian movies, the award ceremony should be embraced by all Africans.

Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) issued a notice to its members not to attend the event because they said they were not officially invited.

Some members however defiled the warning as Abdul Salam, the CEO of Venus Films, was spotted at the event. The organisers of the AMAA also failed to acknowledge FIPAG's efforts in Ghana.

The only acknowledgements went to individual actresses and actors who were at the programme and Ewiti, another association in the creative industry headed by veteran actor Oscar Provencal. The nominees party was held last Saturday at the Grand Mensvic Hotel in East Legon, Accra.

Source: Daily Guide "
OUR COMMENTS:
This is very impressive and encouraging news for all professionally trained and elites performing arts graduates from the School of Performing Arts (University of Ghana) and other private acting schools.

Recognition is very important in all human endeavor, and we want to congratulate all the winners and nominees from Ghana and other West Afirican countries for hard work,dedication and determination. Remember, "Winners Never Quit and Quitters Never Win-Honorable President Professor Atta Mills".

It is time for every trained performing artiste to show the world what Ghana has.

Whatever the differences are, Akofa and Leila should show maturity by getting third party mediation. We believe they can do it, it's not about individuals anymore, it's teamwork.

To all producers and other cast and crew of all made in African movies, thanks to you for doing your part by helping to tell our African Stories from our own perspective. A word of advice, Please give a fair representation of our continent and no "f...l..h" and blind copying of western ideas and values in our movies.

Let the wise understand.

Just in....
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