Tamale Movie Industry Hopeful After Installation of New Yaa-Naa

President of the Northern Movie Industry Alhassan Yushaw Jahinfo

The movie industry in Tamale (Talewood) is hoping to boost marketing and sale of movies following the successful installation of the new Yaa Naa Abukari Mahama II, known traditionally as the Lion of the Dagbon Kingdom.

The industry, according to players, suffered setbacks and experienced low patronage due to the chieftaincy disputes that lasted for 17 years.

Alhassan Yushaw Jahinfo, President of the Northern Movie Industry showed confidence that the market for local movies will certainly bounce back following the restoration of peace in the area.

Speaking in an interview on Sagani Television, a pro-northern television, the President noted that before the dispute, movie producers were making sales of about 10,000 copies of CDs averagely, but that chaos in the region shot sales down to less 5,000 of copies.

Alhassan Yushaw Jahinfo who has been in the industry for over two decades observed that the sector began crumbling when the troubles of the conflict manifested and affected all the towns and villages.

Aside from the conflict, he said an aggressive pirating cabal also surfaced with the use of technology to join hands in killing the industry with total disregard for copyright.

Observers say, the industry, though relatively unknown down south, and not been recognized nationally, has employed over two thousand people directly through production, marketing, sales, and roles for actors. It has also unearthed so many talents and created opportunities for many others.

Explaining how the movie industry could be protected and projected to stand firmly and contribute to national development, the President said that only government could address challenges facing the industry including piracy.

" It is obvious that the industry requires assistance from government," he said.

He observed that apart from government, the customers patronizing the movies must also desist from buying from pirated platforms.

From some analysis, he disclosed that Akan movies get more viewers, and enjoy sales because the customers are supporting talent with pride.

"Stop pirating and encourage the industry by buying the films, so those producers will stay in business", he advised customers.

Yushaw Jahinfo acknowledged the contribution of peace to the survival and growth of the industry

"When peace thrives, our movie industry will succeed and I take this opportunity to extend gratitude to all traditional rulers in Dagbon for committing themselves to the restoration of peace in the Kingdom," he added.

He assured customers of quality movies in the coming days through competent producers working to position the industry well.

He said viewers buying the CDs are the most cherished customers keeping them in business, and they the executives recognize that with high gratitude.

He said they will always welcome criticism from genuine customers and observers, but not those jealously attacking the industry with the intention of destroying it.