Ghanaian Kumawood actor Kwaku Manu has urged creatives not to seek validation from awards, emphasizing that they hold little value in shaping one’s career.
Sharing his thoughts, the actor stated that he has never relied on awards for recognition, as they have not contributed to his success.
“Since I began my career, I have never placed importance on awards because they have done nothing for me. It’s nice to be acknowledged, but what’s the point of dressing up, traveling from Kumasi to Accra, and booking hotels for yourself and your team?” he questioned.
While he admitted that recognition is appreciated, he believes the stress and financial burden of attending award ceremonies are not worth it.
“It’s not like these awards come with money. Forget about potential deals or opportunities,” he added.
“I once attended the Ghana Movie Awards, and it was a waste of time. Those of us from Kumasi weren’t even mentioned, while all the English-speaking actors got recognition.”
He further pointed out that the awards scheme struggled when Kumawood actors stopped participating.
“When Kumawood actors withdrew, the scheme began to fail. These awards rely on celebrities, and once they stop attending, the entire event loses relevance.”
His remarks align with ongoing debates about the impact of award schemes in Ghana’s creative industry, particularly whether they genuinely benefit artists or merely serve as empty recognition. A recent example is the backlash surrounding the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, where King Paluta’s hit song Makoma was notably excluded from the Most Popular Song of the Year category.
Don't rely on awards for validation or success – Kwaku Manu advises creatives #UnitedShowbiz pic.twitter.com/DvnCBAvnYH
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) March 30, 2025
