Entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah Baidoo has voiced his disappointment with Kumawood actors who attended a recent meeting with former President John Dramani Mahama. Arnold expressed concern over their support for Abeiku Santana’s criticism of digitization efforts aimed at enhancing revenue within the creative industry.
Speaking on United Television, Arnold pointed out that the Kumawood industry has suffered significantly because it failed to embrace technological advancements early on. He found it surprising that actors from the struggling industry would applaud someone condemning the creation of a platform meant to improve their work, only to support the introduction of a pay-per-view television station.
Critiquing Abeiku Santana’s remarks, Arnold said, “The man said there are lies surrounding the streaming platform. After that, he questioned the relevance of the streaming platform. When he was done, then he said when they come to power, they will introduce a television station where people will have to pay momo to watch. Is Momo not digital?”
Arnold further elaborated on the irony of the situation, questioning the logic behind applauding such a proposal in 2024. He explained, “Let me take the bottom-up approach like John Dumelo. In 2024, I’m not saying a TV station is not the best, but Empress, you and I know that we’ve moved on. Once again, they were applauding.”
He expressed frustration with the Kumawood stars who appeared to overlook the lessons of their industry’s decline, stating, “The same Kumawood stars who were present there and applauding are aware that the albatross on their neck is the fact that they did not catch up with technological advancement. Then somebody is standing and promising a television station when they know that Kumawood’s failure has been their failure to catch up with the technological advancement, and you’re clapping for him knowing that your industry, which is on its knees, is because you didn’t catch up with technological advancement.”
Arnold’s remarks highlight the critical role of technology in revitalizing Ghana’s creative industry and the need for stakeholders to prioritize innovation over outdated approaches.
