I Would Have Been A Soldier Adeleye

In life, many people have found themselves in the wrong professions; and actor, Daniel Adeleye is no exception. The actor, who is popularly called Agyei after a character name in a movie titled, ‘Dabi Dabi’, has said he had never dreamt of becoming an actor. His dream while growing up was to join the Army. In an exclusive interview with Beatwaves when contacted at his Kumasi residence, he revealed some secrets about himself and the movie industry. He told Beatwaves that acting had shot him into the limelight and earned him respect from friends and business partners. Beatwaves: Did you really want to become an actor when you were a child? DA: No. I actually wanted to become a military man, a soldier. I would have become a soldier if I had not gone into acting. Beatwaves: Besides acting what else do you do? DA: Honestly, there is this brother of mine I help in exporting crafts. Craft business, I hope you know what I mean. Beatwaves: So when did your acting career start? DA: Way back in 1993 in Kumasi, a friend called William Darko introduce me to a drama company called Adehyeman Theater Company and later on I joined Kyeramanteng Play House Center For National Culture, Kumasi. That’s where it all started. With stage acting, we used to travel to schools, companies to perform and I met trainees like Mr. Daniel Appiah Agyei, Mr Kwaku Twumasi and Ras Kwesi who were my stage directors. Beatwaves: Now how many movies have you featured in? DA: I don’t know, but it should be over 20. Beatwaves: Which of the movies do you think has shot you to fame and why? DA: It’s ‘DABI DABI’ because my fans called me by the character name ‘Agyei’ everywhere I go. Beatwaves: Movie after movie, what improvements have you noticed in your acting career? DA: It’s the experience I gained each year. Beatwaves: What do you think accounted for your experience? DA: Humbleness, determination and perseverance. Beatwaves: Where do you take your inspiration from? DA: From God. According to the actor, when he took the decision to go into acting, some friends tried to discourage him. “Acting is not lucrative, but that’s what I chose and the profession that I love. They were right in another sense but I knew with God victory certainly lies ahead because the Bible says that anything that we choose to do, we should do it with all of our might and definitely victory would be ours”. Beatwaves: How would you describe the industry today as compared to when you first entered it? DA: I will say the industry has actually achieved little. Beatwaves: Why? DA: Because other nations are crossing borders with their video productions and films. Tell me, Addo, what film have we as a nation done for the past years. It’s just the video productions and even with that we are not crossing borders because, most of our video productions though we call it Ghanaian films are only for Ghanaian consumption. I hope you know what I mean. But with video productions Nigerians are making it worldwide not talking of Burkina Faso, South Africa or even Namibia who shoot films. Beatwaves: From your point of view what are the real problems hindering the Ghana movie industry? DA: We  lack good professional directors. The good ones are not willing, for reasons known to them. We have so many untrained actors and actresses. Actors are also not paid well and the fact that the censorship board is ineffective. Beatwaves: What are the possible solutions? DA: The government and stakeholders in the industry should see the industry as income generating business aside cocoa, gold and the craft business which is now the three major source of money making to be precise for the nation. The movie industry can rub shoulders with the three when given the support from our leaders and stakeholders in the industry. To put it in a simply expression there should be a revolution in the Ghanaian movie industry. Beatwaves: Do you think the media could play a major role in solving the problem? DA: Yes. Beatwaves: Most people prefer foreign movies to Ghanaian ones, do you really believe that? DA: That was before; but now it’s changing and we should use that opportunity to come out with good jobs, and excellent productions so that we don’t retrogress. Beatwaves: You’ve acted in Nigeria, what do you admire about their industry and what experiences have you gained from them? DA: They are well organized and have a very vibrant industry, and they see their industry as a serious business. They went on strike for six months just for the upliftment of their industry. They speak with one voice and they are very professional. Beatwaves: What is your biggest achievement so far? DA: It’s the day I won Ghana Actors Guild’s Best Supporting Actor for 2006. ‘To God be the glory’ I said on that day. Beatwaves: Any other awards? DA: Of course GAG award and miracle films award for my contribution to the movie industry in Ghana and an award from a fellow actor, Gideon of Gideonmania Ventures way back in 1998 as the best actor at Adehyeman Theater Company. Beatwaves: What is your educational background? DA: A product of PREMPEH COLLEGE, 1994. Beatwaves: What about your family? any wife and kids? DA: My father and mother live in Kumasi Bantama. My mother’s name is Madam Mary Akosua Owusuaa. She is from Sefwi  Wiawso (Western region). And my father is Mr. Sunday Adeleye Daniels. His mother is from Atwima Foase (Ashanti region) while his father is from Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti State in Nigeria. I have a son, who is six years old, my wife is not in Ghana at the moment and from Eastern region. Beatwaves: Where were you born? DA: I was born at Sunyani. Beatwaves: About your nuclear family, what are the names of your wife and son? DA: You just try and hide her name for me but my son is Nana Kweku.