First of all, let me make it clear that I respect both Martha Ankomah and Lydia Forson for their talent—therefore using their unfortunate situations as a case study does not have any element of contempt.
I met Martha Ankomah somewhere last year at Alisa Hotel, Accra and she was full of positive energy and smiles. Similarly, Lydia Forson has a great personality and an extensive realistic view on several world issues, though some are unnecessarily entrenched. I have had some great conversations with her in the past and as a Nigerian will say ‘I respect her hustle’.
Now that the above has been made clear, let’s look at how our actors/actresses can make the best out of their talent, passion and craft without falling into the African disease pot of “being everywhere but known for nothing great”.
The Over-commercialization of Martha Ankomah Being a Taint on Her Talent
If you’ve seen any of Martha Ankomah’s movies, you would notice that despite the fact that she is always surrounded by several talentless actors/actresses, her raw excellence consistently stands out.
Martha Ankomah is a great actress at the raw state and needed rough edge touches by some of the great Directors who have clear understanding of film-making but she couldn’t wait for this to happen. She couldn’t say ‘NO’ to some of the most senseless scripts and literally took up every offer that came her way.
We are seeing the end result today, which is; Martha Ankomah has countless movies to her but none does justice to her immense talent. She is not regarded in any different light; she is just like the many ‘can’t act’ actresses we see on our screens daily.
Over-commercialization has killed her talent, vision and the chance of becoming one of Ghana’s greatest.
I am sure she has over 100 movies to her name but which one can we remember as a great piece?
If you want to be known as a great actor/actress, don’t buy into the over-commercialization doctrine.
How to Avoid Martha Ankomah’s Mistake of Over-Commercialization
Interestingly, it is only in Ghana, perhaps in Nigeria too that rising or even established actors and actresses do not have other jobs.
We are so deluded to the extent that the moment someone is given a cameo role in a movie, the person over-burdens herself/himself as a wealthy celebrity—-and therefore cannot work anywhere. To make the matter worse, such people hire managers, publicists and others when they do not have any stream of income and cannot afford the lifestyle they build around themselves.
Out here in the United Kingdom, I know several ‘wannabe top actors/actresses’ who have been featured in some great movies and yet, they have normal jobs which bring in the monthly income while chasing their acting dreams. This way, they are able to say no to scripts and offers which will not add any meaning to their talent but rather push them into the pool of failed actors.
Forget the celebrity nonsense and protect your talent.
Let me add that, I’ve helped in creating this celebrity nonsense in Ghana, but I respect talent than the existing hopeless hype, and I believe every reasonable person does too. Nothing stops you from getting a regular job while waiting and searching around for the best productions to be part of…
The key to being known for great movies is to be able to say no to the ‘chaff’ ones and to be able to do this; you must not be desperate for the fame or the money. You must have other source of income, and by this, I do not mean sleeping with someone’s wife or husband. I mean having a goddamn job…
Few weeks ago, I had the privilege to be part of the audience at the recording of Jonathan Ross Show at the ITV London studios. And two of the Show’s guests, actor-Liam Neeson and Oscar Award winner-Goldie Hawn spoke about how things started for their careers. According to Liam Neeson, while chasing his dream as an actor, he was still working at a Guinness factory in Ireland (even after he had been featured in several paid productions).
They all maintained a job for their necessary upkeep but also, to make sure they were able to sieve the good scripts from the bad without any monetary pressure to go in for whatever offers that came their way.
Sadly, Martha Ankomah could not avoid this but if you want to rise to the top, learn from her mistake.
Who said you are a celebrity so you can’t have a job? What is important to you—-some illusory status or your talent and future?
Now Don’t Make the ‘Lydia Forson Mistake’
Lydia Forson started on a good note and I can say, she was part of the reshaping of the new Ghanaian Movie Industry. From Shirley Frimpong Manso’s Perfect Picture to Scorned and then a Sting in a Tale, Lydia Forson’s talent was being given a deserving platform to grow…
But then, something must have happened and today, she is no where to be found in some of our greatest movies. Some of the great scripts and productions are passing her despite her talent.
I do not know what happened between Lydia Forson and Sparrow Productions but considering the fact that she was in Sparrow’s 3 great movies on a roll—and now can’t be found in anywhere despite her talent, I am sure there was a professional cut off somewhere.
What I call the ‘Lydia Forson’ mistake is that, even if you have thousand boxes packed with unseen skills and talent, keep a professional relationship with those that matter in the game. You do not have to butt-kiss anyone but you have to maintain a healthy relationship with those who call the shots.
In an industry like ours where many people are championing talent destructions with only a few being able to bring the best out of actors, you need to be part of the winning team.
Do not fight those who hold the helping keys to nurturing your dreams, rather work alongside them to realize your dreams and bring out the greatness in you.
Think about it this way, at the end of the day who is losing out more? Sparrow productions or Lydia Forson?
Why would you want to make such a mistake and put your talent on a hiatus?
As an actor/actress who wants to be known for greatness, you have to be firm with your standards and demands but don’t break great unions between your talent and a good production company.
Embrace Training & Re-training
As I mentioned in one of my articles, instead of wasting your money on unnecessary trips abroad, long expensive weave, fake designer bags and clothes so you can show off on Instagram and Facebook, push the little money you have towards your talent and career progressive.
Make it a challenge to be ahead of the others by seeking constant training to alter, reshape and build on your talent.
It doesn’t have to a 3 year film or acting course in an expensive institution, a weekend seminar, a summer course, a week symposia and others can all help bring the best out of you. This will also put you on a higher ladder compared to your colleagues.
Make yourself attractive to production houses by giving your talent the needed improvement.
And above all, maintain a healthy relationship with the blogs because no one wants a person with countless bad publicity on their great production.
This is such a great piece Vincent.Our actors/actresses do not care about their craft they care about they status they acquire in society….We need more insightful articles like this,
I agree with you this is a great piece. His writings show how exposed he is and his examples are just on point. I didn’t know you went on Jonathan Ross and you saw Liam? that is my man you know
Exactly, they would protect their status more than their craft.
Well said, they care about being in newspapers and on some dirty red carpets compared to building their talent
Chris, this is why I say you are the best Ghanaian blogger out there. You writings are beautiful and you really know what you are talking about. I also love the new direction of your blog, keeping the bashing down and taking up the though provoking articles.
Not to undermine your staff writers but anytime you write, it strikes me as the best. This is a master piece.
Ghanaians like celebrity this celebrity that too much and they don’t work hard at their talent. It is sad Lydia Forson is slowly dying but as you said, others should learn from her mistake.
I have not seen any movie from Martha but I will try and find some online. All in all, this will go down as one of your greatest pieces
How is Lydia forson’s career dying slowly when she is the first Actress to be made Ambassador to African movie academy awards. How is her career dying when she is the first Ghanaian actress to be in scandal. A popular show in south Africa and here in the USA. Just because she does not feature in senseless movies don’t mean her career is dying. Did you ever stop to think that she has other projects she is busy promoting like child trafficking in Ghana? For all I know she is writes scripts and waiting to produce them. I mean originally scripts not the copied movies Shirley frimpong does.
Another great piece out there for those who have eyes to read and act on it. The problem with most of our entertainers and Ghanaians as a whole is we love fame and money than anything. We have no patience at all so we can’t work on anything for long. The issue with Martha and Lydia forson is sad. It is sad that this article did not come early for them but at a time that they are deeply sinking. I see the Martha Ankomah issue repeating itself with Roselyn Ngissah.
The issue with Lydia Forson is not Sad. Obviously you don’t know your facts well. you don’t need to do 20 senseless movies to be recognized. People respect her craft that is why they made her the ambassador to African Movie academy award. That is respect. Lydia spends her time writing scripts and trying to produce them. Not only that she has other important project she is doing like child trafficking. Last time I checked, she has won awards recently for her screen plays as well being the first Ghanaian to feature in a show in South Africa. Yes I am scandal. How many Ghanaian actress can say that? Scandal Is big in south Africa and in the USA. so I am confused why this writer will say that. Just because you don’t like someone don’t mean you should write negatives stuffs without facts. Even people in Hollywood sometimes act one movie a year or every two years and they still keep their popularity and brand. Take for instance Tom Cruise. He hardly does movies because he is busy writing scripts and producing them. Nobody questions about how many movies he does. So stop the hating. Besides most of the Ghanaian movies are useless and they all the same compared to that of the Nigerian movies.
Our movie stars are jokers to me, They won’t invest in theirselves yet they will buy every designer thing on the market. Is it not sad that up to this day, Yvonne Nelson has not gotten any professional training?
Good job Chris!
This is a great piece by all standards.
Excellent write up Chris. I like Lydia Forson’s acting and was always wondering why she is not being featured anymore in sparrow’s movies as it used to be some years back. Lessons for all
which is better. Sparrow production or Nollywood? Lydia has featured for both. She has a lot going in her career. Just because you don’t see her on screen don’t mean she is not working. She has bigger vision and dreams than to be in senseless movies. One day all the pieces will come together and maybe you will appreciate her work and the things she is doing. Last I checked she featured in scandal and now the Ambassador for AMMA. People in other countries respect her except in Ghana.
Chris u said it all…… I hope Lydia Forson is reading this great article cos it seems she is dying to act but no one is offering her job …and Martha who is taking any scrips that comes her way thinking that will make her great actress has end her career… The question is ..what makes me to remember Martha ? Nothing
Lydia was once asked why she hasn’t been in a lot of movies n she answered dat she was being really selective with her scripts…i laughd out loud! girl u wish! she’s becoming old n dusty sitting uselesly on the cupboard…this article is on point
so why the hating on Lydia Forson and Martha Ankoma? This writer seems like a prolific one but I do not commend the fact that he will Sully someone’s name without collecting more facts. I am also flabbergasted that he does not see the work and accomplishment of Lydia Forson. Let me just give you synopsis of her career and I hope it will permeate or resonate those who malign her on here or her career. You may recall that Lydia Forson is the first West African mainstream actress to be featured in South African series Scandal which features here in the united states as well. First actress to win Best screenplay at the Ghana movie Awards. A lot of people don’t know she is a writer and works a lot on scripts. That is what she went to school for. She is also the Brand Ambassador for DSTV Ghana and the face of Paba cosmetics and not forgetting the fact that she is the first actress to be made the Ambassador for the African Movie Academy Awards. If her career is sinking like the writer on here is alluding to then while will they make her Ambassador? It is because she has achieved a lot in a short period in her career and has class. AMAA shares her vision and revere her. The question people on here and the writer should ask is what have all the actors and actresses who have done so many movies achieved? Lydia Forson was in movies long before she did scorned so I am surprised the writer on here will assume she needs Shirley Frimpong for her career to blossom. Being an actor or actress means you are a brand. It is not how many movies you have done. She is still relevant if she has done less than 10 movies or just one. Even in Hollywood not every actor or actress do a lot of movies. Most of these great actors or actress are doing great things behind the scene. I can point to Eva Longoria, Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Ben Affleck just to mention a few. They write scripts, take time off to do Aid projects in Africa and Asia. Last time I checked, Lydia is doing a project to stop Child trafficking and she even rescued this poor little boy which the government and even us in the USA have taken notice of her work. So I want this writer to understand that it is not about putting on make ups and doing 20 senseless movies. It must be only in Ghana or Africa do you have to act such senseless movies to be recognized. Which is why I do not commend this article because this writer although entitle to his opinion his analysis is ill informed. He even alluded to what Goldie Hawn and liam did before making it in Hollywood so why jump on Lydia Forson and Martha Ankomah as if their career is over? Did you ever stop to think or find out if they have other things going on for them? You Say Marta Ankomah does a lot of movies and she is overhyped or over commercial and she is hurting her career? and Lydia Forson has not done much movie and hurting her career as well? so which is it?If you refuse to see the progress in what someone does , nothing they do is ever going to be good. Judging from the last line of this article it is obvious that the writer only promotes those actors and actress he likes and defames those who are not his friends or those he don’t like. There are better things to write but why this article? Lydia Forson has a long ways to go and I am waiting for the day she makes it to Hollywood first with all the projects she is working on. At just 29 years of she has accomplished what most people dream of having and I am excited about what God has in store for her future.