Agya Koo blames Mahama’s power crises for decline in Ghanaian Film Industry
Kumawood actor Kofi Adu, popularly known as Agya Koo, has opened up about the challenges faced by the Ghanaian film industry, particularly during the power crises under former President John Dramani Mahama's administration.
In an interview with Lawson Radio, Agya Koo shared how the electricity shortages affected the production of films in the country.
“I won’t shy away from the fact that the power issues during Mahama’s time had a huge impact on our industry,” he stated. “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.”
Agya Koo, who played an important role in the rise of Ghanaian cinema, also addressed rumors surrounding his role in the industry. Among the accusations was the claim that he had positioned himself as a “demigod” within the local film industry. However, he firmly denied these claims.
“Those accusations are baseless,” he asserted. “Yes, I played a major part in the growth of Ghanaian cinema, but I didn’t treat myself like a royal. In the beginning, I didn’t even charge for my work. I just wanted to push the industry forward.”
Agya Koo explained that as his career progressed and his popularity grew, he had to start taking his work more seriously and asking for compensation. “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,” he remarked.
The veteran actor emphasized the challenges that come with fame. “When you become a household name, people tend to have a lot to say, especially if they can’t achieve the same level of success,” he concluded.