Ghanaian movie star, Martha Ankomah, has indicated that she has nothing against movies shot in local languages.
She was clearing the air concerning an ill-informed notion held by some she dislikes the rural and Akan/Twi-led movie scene in Kumasi called Kumawood.
Ms Ankomah was quizzed about why she had never appeared in a Kumawood movie.
“It is when you’re contracted that you take up a gig,” she answered.
“And sometimes, also, you need to examine the storyline and the script. If I read the story and I don’t like it, I wouldn’t want to be part of it. Otherwise, why not, I’ll jump on it.”
Martha Ankomah
Probed if she had ever been invited for a Kumawood gig before. “As I told you, the storyline is most important to me,” she emphasized, in response.
Thereafter, she pointed to a time she went to work on a movie in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, where Kumawood is based.
“Some time ago, it’s been quite a while, I traveled with Sammy [Rasta], the movie director, he wears dreadlocks, and works with Radio XYZ, to Kumasi, to work on a movie,” the entrepreneur said, rhetorically asking: “Did I not shoot the movie in Kumasi? It’s all about the storyline.”
The philanthropist observed that Netflix collaborates, funds, and hosts Nigerian movies in Yoruba and Igbo, with subtitles provided. The storyline is, however, king, she argued.
“It’s all about the storyline, is it not? It’s all about the picture quality. It’s all about the production,” she added.
Martha maintained, factually, when she visited Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo, in October 2023, and said she eschews movie roles that make no sense, she did not mention or intend Kumawood.
In the said interview with Akua Sonto, she, and Peter Richie, said it was a rule they used for all their local and international considerations for roles.
“If it does not challenge you mentally, inspire positive change, and cause development in the country, there’s no point being part of it. That’s my opinion.”
Martha Ankomah
According to her, per the time mark provided, she had recently rejected a role in a Nigerian movie.
Perhaps, the only recorded time Martha Ankomah famously named Kumawood in an interview was in 2017, when speaking to Hitz FM, when she spoke about her fondness for Kumawood movies.
“I love Kumawood movies but what I dislike about their movies is the fetish stuff they inculcate into them. Apart from that, I love their storylines and they used to have really good movies like Kumasi Yonko, but, of late, most of their movies portray witchcraft and that does not motivate me to shoot with them.”
Martha Ankomah
Martha shot down allegations she declined to appear in Kumawood actor and producer Lil Win’s “A Country Called Ghana”.
Actress Recalls Lil Win Asking for GTP Favor Years Ago
Martha Ankomah made a striking revelation that the only time she spoke to Kwadwo ‘Lil Win’ Nkansah was when he phoned her for a favor.
She confirmed by checking her phone.
“You know the iPhone keeps records. So, this was the only time Lil Win called me and asked for a favor with the very GTP he insulted me with,” Martha said.
“God being so good, I spoke to GTP. I don’t know if he went to see them or not. But, if Lil Win, would speak the truth, he reached out to thank me, afterward.
“I also sent him a number for him to call, adding that they had assured him he would be given a good deal. I asked him to reach out to me in case he needed further assistance. That’s the only time I ever spoke to Lil Win. I’ve not seen him physically before.”
Martha Ankomah
According to Martha, Kumawood star actor and producer Lil Win wanted GTP to print school uniforms for his school. When he spoke about this to people, he was told the actress [Martha Ankomah] was the GTP brand ambassador, so he rang her.
Lil Win’s Great Minds International School, Kumasi, was established in 2018. As reported, the GTP collaboration deal was sought in 2019.
The actress, however, explained she did not recently turn down a movie role for Lil Win’s “A Country Called Ghana”.
She said it was rather a movie for director Frank Fiifi Gharbin.
“Two years ago, Director Fiifi Gharbin called me to tell me he wanted to work with me,” Martha Ankomah said.
The philanthropist said, given his middle name, she initially had no reason to think Frank Fiifi Gharbin was linked to Kumawood, a movie scene based in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, “because Fantes [of Ghana’s southern coast] name Fiifi and not Asantes [of Ghana’s middle belt]”.
Early February 2024, Kumawood actor and filmmaker Kwadwo ‘Lil Win’ Nkansah attacked Martha in a viral video on social media.
Aggrieved, Martha responded with a February 14 GHS5 million defamation lawsuit. The matter is still in court at publication time.
Meanwhile, the 2024 movie A Country Called Ghana is produced by Lil Win and directed by Fiifi Gharbin.
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