Ghana Movie Awards; More JEERS Than CHEERS

For all its many flaws and boring run, last Monday�s Ghana Movie Awards will be remembered for one thing - a quiet hint at reconciliation. Observant patrons may have noticed what looked like a deliberate attempt by the organisers to calm misunderstandings among perceived factions in the industry before the new year sets. It was refreshing to see Yvonne Nelson and Sandra Ankobiah in a warm embrace after the latter had presented the Favourite Actress award to Yvonne. That action may have surprised many in the auditorium because since last year, Yvonne Nelson who was once close pals with Sandra Ankobiah and were seen together at almost every event confirmed on Delay�s Show that she was no more friends with Sandra. Both refused to talk about the breakup of their once blossom friendship so when at last Monday�s awards, the pair hugged themselves and were all smiling, it was more of a �reconciliation time�. The story was no different when Shirley Frimpong Manso and Leila Djansi shared the same stage and thanked their numerous fans when they were adjudged co-winners for the Best Director Award which was presented by actress, Akorfa Ejieni Asiedu. It is believed that Akorfa and Leila have not been on very good terms after they worked on the movie I Sing Of A Well. Leila said the casting of Akorfa for the lead role was inappropriate considering her age. Other issues including rights of ownership heightened with Akorfa filing a legal suit against Leila. Besides these memorable happenings, the whole show of the Ghana Movie Awards 2013 was mediocre from start to end and the organisers, GP Limited, should be ashamed for putting up such a poorly organised awards show. For such a well publicised event that has won not only the goodwill of the major stakeholders in the industry but the public as well, it was expected that it would live up to its billing but it was quite disappointing to observe how events unfolded shabbily on the night. The event started at 11:30 pm, which was three and half hours late from the advertised time of 8:00 pm and as if that was not enough, patrons had to endure the many technical hitches which hampered the flow of the show. For such an event, it was expected that the organisers will show professionalism but every activity on the night looked more like an awards show organised by amateurs and for amateurs. There was virtually no co-ordination as on most occasions, presenters even got the names of the nominees wrong. Not even the advertised acts, Mafikizola, the South African music group known for the hit Khona were in attendance, much to the disappointment of the many patrons. For the second time, Jackie Appiah won the Best Actress In A Leading Role after she won at the maiden show in 2010. The Best Actor In A Leading Role went to John Dumelo. Joselyn Dumas won the Best Actress In A Supporting Role for her performance in Northern Affair and comedian and actor, Lil Win grabbed the Best Male In Supporting Role. Leila Djansi took home the highest number of awards grabbing eight awards with her new movie Northern Affair. Shirley Frimpong-Manso�s collaboration with Yvonne Okoro on Contract got two awards while Yvonne Nelson�s House of Gold also won two awards. There was a performance by hiplife musician, Bisa Kdei and comic acts by A Plus and a Nigerian comedian. Full List of Award Winners Best Original Score�Shaun Burdick:Northern Affair Writing- Adapted Or Original Screenplay�Herty Owusu And Shirley Frimpong-Manso:Contract Production Design� DJ Vegas(Production Design), Ghana Armed Forces(Set Decoration):The Pledge Editing� Dave Goldberg:Northern Affair Music-Original Song�Jon Germain And Kofi Akyeame:Northern Affair Make Up And Hair Stylist� Jude Chukwuma Odoh:Barima Nye Sumye Best African Collaboration Best Actor:�Hlomla Dandala: Contract and Francis Odega: House Of Gold Best African Collaboration Best Actress�Patience Ozorkwor:Slave Boy Sound Mixing & Editing�Shaun Burdick:Northern Affair A Performance By An Actor In A Supporting Role�Kwadwo Nkansah (Lilwin):Time Changes A Performance By An Actress In A Supporting Role� Joselyn Dumas:Northern Affair A Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role� John Dumelo:Northern Affair A Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role�Jackie Appiah:Cheaters Best Picture� Mabel Germain-Producer:Northern Affair Short Movie�Galamsey Monalisa Magazine Awards For Best Movie�Heartbreak Hotel Monalisa Magazine Awards For Best Actor Series�Funny Face: Chorkor Trotro Monalisa Magazine Awards For Best Actress Series�Esi: Chorkor Trotro Glitz Magazine Favourite Actor�John Dumelo:Northern Affair Glitz Magazine Favourite Actress�Jackie Appiah:Cheaters Glitz Magazine Fans� Favourite Actor�Prince David Osei Glitz Magazine Fans� Favourite Actress�Yvonne Nelson