Accra: Ghanaian actor and musician Frank Naro has claimed that the absence of veteran actor Agya Koo significantly contributed to the decline of Ghana's movie industry, arguing that no other actor was able to fill the void left by the Kumawood icon. Speaking in an interview with DJ KA, Frank Naro described Agya Koo as Ghana's biggest actor, insisting that many actors who entered the industry after him simply copied his style instead of creating their own identities.
According to Ghana Web, Naro, who has worked as an actor, producer, and director, maintained that only actors like Bill Asamoah and Akrobeto carved unique paths for themselves, while many others merely replicated Agya Koo's performances. He argued that audiences eventually lost interest because they had already seen Agya Koo deliver similar roles with greater originality.
Frank Naro emphasized Agya Koo's immense influence on the industry, stating, "That is why I say Agya Koo is the biggest actor in Ghana. We need to honour him. The government or the people of Kumasi need to do something to appreciate him." He further argued that Agya Koo's departure from mainstream filmmaking negatively affected the industry, adding that those who sidelined the actor should apologise to him.
Naro recalled how former President John Agyekum Kufuor publicly recognized Agya Koo's contribution to the creative arts, noting that the actor's talent was so exceptional it almost rivalled the popularity of Nigerian films. He also dismissed claims that Agya Koo was arrogant, arguing that the actor was unfairly criticized simply for demanding payment for work he had completed.
The actor accused some industry executives of deliberately frustrating the careers of actors they disliked, alleging they intentionally decide who to promote and whose careers to suppress. "I am talking out of pain because they have done it to me too. Some of the executives are wicked. They intentionally sit and discuss who to promote and whose talent to kill. They did it to Kweku Manu and Bill Asamoah," he alleged.
According to Frank Naro, actors who demand payment for completed jobs are often branded as disrespectful, a practice he believes has contributed to the struggles facing Ghana's movie industry today.