Veteran Kumawood actor Agya Koo has urged the government to establish a national museum dedicated to Ghana’s creative arts personalities, arguing that their contributions must be recorded for future generations. Speaking to the Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, November 3, the comic actor warned that Ghana risks losing important parts of its creative history because little is being done to document and preserve the achievements of its entertainment legends.
Agya Koo said the museum should showcase the work and achievements of actors, musicians and other pioneers of the creative industry, and could serve as both a learning centre and a tourist attraction. He cited examples from abroad, noting that museums in New York, Holland and Japan preserve the works and even footprints of icons such as Bruce Lee and Jet Li, and that people pay to see these artefacts. “We are watching our entertainment legends die without preserving their legacies and that is very frustrating,” he said.
The actor urged the Office of the President and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to consider the proposal and provide the necessary support. He added that, despite not being a university graduate, his travels have shown him what can be implemented in Ghana. “In Ghana, it appears you are not given any regard or your words hold little power if you are not a university graduate,” he said.
Beyond preservation, Agya Koo proposed a welfare arrangement to shield performers from financial difficulties, especially in old age. He suggested that film producers set aside 20 per cent of the money meant for actors’ payments and invest it in a welfare or insurance scheme to support actors when they fall ill or become too old to work. “We know that some of our colleagues find themselves in difficult circumstances in their old age. It is not always because they mismanaged their lives,” he said. He added he would even consider engaging the President on the proposal to explore how it could be formalised and implemented.
Reflecting on the industry’s evolution, Agya Koo noted that the shift from traditional television and CDs to YouTube has opened doors for emerging filmmakers, but has also raised concerns about production quality. While acknowledging the opportunities the platform gives young producers, he said the industry needed the experience and guidance of its veterans to raise standards, so that the gains of the digital era are not lost to poor quality. As one of the prominent faces of Kumawood at its peak, he said the older generation had a duty to nurture young talent, share their experience and help rebuild the industry.
