Multichoice Ghana operators of DStv and GOtv in Ghana has introduced a 24-hour channel christened Akwaaba Magic on DStv channel 150. In its first weeks has shaken the grounds and brought smiles to the faces of the Ghanaian viewers and lovers of Ghanaian film and television content across the African continent.
Akwaaba Magic is just one of the several exciting entertainment channels on DStv and its thrilling and fascinating sitcoms, movies series and documentaries made by Ghanaians has pushed me to doff my hat for the team at MultiChoice for this powerful addition. Multichoice Ghana has through the introduction of this channel brought together a galaxy of seasoned Ghanaian artistes, movie producers, script writers both young and old to make this exciting one stop entertainment platform.
I must commend the management of MultiChoice Ghana, under the able leadership of my friend Cecil Sunkwa Mills, the Managing Director, for their foresight and continuous support for the Ghanaian movie industry.
The channel now provides a ready market for quality Ghanaian entertainment content and also an opportunity to stakeholders in the creative industry to leverage on this channel to showcase or rich film, tourism, arts, culture and lifestyle to the rest of Africa and the world. I believe soon the channel will open up advertising and marketing opportunities for brands from Ghana and the rest of the continent.
Following a full year of reduced economic activities across the world due to Covid-19 an industry very much hit was the Film and Television sector; thus, launching this channel at this time is a huge boost for practitioners in this space. Imagine how many actors, crew and producers will be able to return to their sets to make films and series for our consumption on the channel and others in the value chain.
Broadcasting 24/7 Akwaaba Magic will be hungry for content to keep viewers glued and gives producers a motivation to churn out high quality material. Besides the immediate jobs it creates for the filmmakers, cast and crew there are several allied services like transport, catering, costume, makeup, music, accountants, etc. that are will be engaged on the productions to deliver the final product we see.
With the high youth unemployment rate in Ghana your guess is as good as mine how many jobs will be created across the value chain in Ghana with the potential to positively impact GDP. Need I say more? Our rich tourism potential can be showcased in our films to attract tourist to our beautiful country which bolster our foreign exchange earning potential.
According to the US International Trade Commission executive brief 2014; “Nollywood,” produced about 50 movies per week on average and contributes about US$600 million annually for the Nigerian economy. In addition, Nollywood is one of the priority sectors identified in the Economic Recovery and Growth plan of Nigeria with a planned US$1billion in export revenue by 2021. Ghana stands to gain from this revival stemming from initiatives like Akwaaba Magic from DStv.
Akwaaba Magic has commissioned the following shows that have become instant hits Dede – Ghana’s first telenovela that airs daily; Sankofa – a show that seeks to mend broken relations, Andy and Rollie: Magic In Us – Africa’s first magic show on TV and Inside Out – a riveting drama series of love intrigue, murder and suspense.
There is also an impressive lineup of movies, series and sitcoms such as Charade, Victims, Play Queens, Almighty, Girls At War, Table Of Men, Koole and Ko-Tenant that I recommend for your viewing pleasure.
Other exciting and must watch programs include Koole, Be My Guest, Formula One, Time Changes, In The Streets, Victims, Beauty, Riddles, The Corner and Mummy’s Daughter, My Chef and I plus the hilarious comedy titled The Idiot.
To say Akwaaba Magic has assembled the best artiste and producers in Ghana is an understatement, the names tell it all, good old Fred Amugi, Paulina Oduro, Edward Kufuor, Rosemary Ngissah, Prince David Osei, Portia Asare, James Gardiner, Too Sweet Annan and Jager Pee.
Other exciting artiste who feature on Akwaaba Magic are David Quaye, David Dontoh, Adjettey Annang, Yvonne Nelson, Anita Erskine, Moesha Boudong, Naana Hayford, Christiana Awuni, Kwadwo Nkansah “Liwin”, Bill Asamoah, Kwaku Manu, Mike Afranie, Vivian Achor, Akofa Adjeani Asiedu, Jasmine Baroudi, Ziggy Matterson, Madam Ackon and Akorobeti Kwesi Boadi among others. Not to talk about the Nigerian flavor of evergreen Segun Arinze and Pascal Amanfo who featured in some of the Ghana-Nigeria collaborations.
I must confess Akwaaba Magic has provided a very big platform for the revival of the Ghanaian entertainment industry reawakening the legend, discovering new talent and growth platform for the upcoming actors to nurture their creative talents for the benefit of the industry in line with MultiChoice’s objective of supporting the local Film and Television industry which gave birth to the innovative MultiChoice Talent Factory CSR project.
It is not surprising the channel has gained a lot of patronage from viewers of DStv, despite it being on air over a little over a month. Akwaaba Magic is a must watch entertainment channel for anyone interested in watching top notch Ghanaian productions. In my estimation Akwaaba Magic is well positioned to become of the most watched channel in Africa.
