Ghanaian actor Clement Bonney, popularly known as Mr. Beautiful, has shed light on the struggles of Ghana’s local film industry, Kumawood. In a recent interview with Joy Prime’s Roselyn Felli on the Changes show, Mr. Beautiful attributed the industry’s challenges to the frequent use of insults in scripts.
He shared that he had raised concerns about this issue with producers and industry stakeholders but was met with resistance. “I pointed out that insults which may be acceptable in Kumasi could be seen as severe in the Greater Accra and Coastal regions. I warned that our portrayal of insults could negatively impact our international image, but my advice was ignored,” he explained.
Mr. Beautiful noted that many Ghanaians abroad discouraged their children from watching Kumawood films due to the offensive language, which also affected the industry’s global appeal. He added that he was often required to speak only in Twi for certain roles but refused, leading to missed opportunities.
He also criticized the industry’s slow adaptation to technological advancements. “While others moved towards digital marketing, we were still stuck in outdated practices, which has significantly hampered our progress,” he said.
According to Mr. Beautiful, these issues have contributed to Kumawood’s ongoing difficulties in gaining wider success.
