Kumawood actors – actors who act mostly in films produced in Kumasi or with the Twi language, have been lambasted over the years for their non-presence online or on various social media – LinkedIn, Facebook, Tweeter, Whatsapp, Instagram, etc.
In fact, organizers of Ghana Movie Awards, founded by Fred Nuamah, have refused to take Kumawood actors to the annual internationally acclaimed Cannes Film Festival in France since 2013 – with the main reason from organizers of Cannes being that, “Kumawood actors do not have online presence” Fred Nuamah revealed to the media.
Treating the topic of non-presence of Kumawood actors on AM PLUZZ on Pluzz 89.9 FM Friday, 27th June, 2014, host, Samuel Atuobi Baah, asked Akrobeto if he is on Facebook or any of the social media. Akrobeto retorted that “Facebook…what is that? What has it got to do with me? I’m not interested in Facebook my brother! I don’t live my life with it! It does not help me in any way!
It does not feed me or give me money! Being on it is a waste of my time! I’m a very busy person! I’m always shooting movies! Even now as we speak, I was shooting but had to cut to make way for this interview! I’m not on Facebook, yet, my business is going on well, well! I’m making money! I won’t have time punching my phone all the time in the name of Facebook!”
The host brought to his attention that there is a fan page on Facebook – Akrobeto Fan page, he used the opportunity to distance himself from it. “I’m not on Facebook! I’m telling everybody to take note! I did not instruct anybody to do so on my behalf! I’m not interested in it please!”
When the Sammy prod him with a question to the effect that Kumawood actors do not get the chance to go to Cannes Film Festival due to their non-presence online, Akrobeto continued: “I’m not on Facebook but I don’t struggle to get visa to travel! As we speak, I have a 5 year American visa, 2 years for Canada and others – so whether Cannes or not, I travel.”
Kwaku Manu – also a Kumawood award winning actor, begged to differ with Akrobeto. To him “if you ask me whether I’m on Facebook or not, you have insulted me! At my level as a star, why shouldn’t I be on Facebook? You should not have asked that question in the first place! You are asking me because of the way you perceive Kumawood actors in this country!
Another fact too is that Akrobeto is old. You see him very young but he is old. I started watching him on screen during his days when he used to act in Kristo Asafo Concert Party. So the point is Facebook did not come during his era so he may not fancy Facebook.
That does not take away anything from him. We the youth follow social media because it has come in our era! Even we the youth, it’s not all of us who are on social media. Some are on Facebook, others are on Whatsapp. Some prefer Facebook, others prefer Whatsapp.”
GhanaCelebrities.Com asks, is it prudent for Kumawood actors to join the social media train that is buzzing across the globe? Of what use will it be for them and their acting profession? Do you think their fans patronize social media? Let’s get talking because your opinion matters.
Well personaly i do not follow any gh celebrity in any social media site. So whether they are there or not i do not care. The only person i think i personally added on my facebook is manifest. He is well educated, write sensible stuffs, love his style and seems to no his left and right. The rest are all bogus
I love ma man manifest. the tsikata’s rocK!!!!! Dude is too funny and lovely. Humble too
There are many big names in Hollywood who dose not have any social media accounts. Social media is for the young. Dose Robert De Niro have a Facebook account?!?! Kumawood actors, with or without Facebook, you guys do your thing.