Charles Allen Gyimah

Charles Allen Gyimah
Born1939
Died2014
NationalityGhanaian
Other namesNana Gyimah Kesseh
CitizenshipGhanaian
Occupation(s)Traditional leader, politician, film maker, and entrepreneur

Charles Allen Gyimah (1939–2014) was a Ghanaian traditional leader, politician, film maker,[1] and entrepreneur. He was the founder of Video City Limited, a video production company which was situated in Accra and Mampong.[2]

Career

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As the Chief of Jamasi, Gyimah was known by the stool name Nana Gyimah Kesseh I. He abdicated his chieftaincy title after protracted disagreements among the royals of Jamasi[2][3][4] He was the financial controller of Kumasi Ashanti Kotoko Football Club when the club won the 1983 African Club Championship under the chairmanship of Yaw Barwuah.[5][6]

Gyimah made a fortune as one of the prominent traders in the Kantamanto market. By 2013, he was the chief of patron of the market's traders.[7] In the 1980s, he recorded football matches of Ashanti Kotoko and duplicated them on VHS cassettes for sale.[8] He did same for Concert Party and local television drama groups. One of such groups was the Osofo Dadzie Group.[9] His collaboration with the group led to the videoing of Abbyssinia in 1985.[10] The movie was one of the earliest ones that used the video technology. His company employed technicians of the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) who videotaped social events.[11] His contract with GBC also helped him gain contact with Nana Bosomprah, a member of the Osofo Dadzie , through whom he was able to work with the Osofo Dadzie Group.[11] Unfortunately, Gyimah's attempt to restrict distribution of the movie to his chain of Video City cinemas made him run at a loss.[8]

Personal life

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Gyimah is the father of Gerald Gyimah and George Gyo Gyimah, CEO of Phamous Philms.[6][12] Gwyneth Gyimah Addo of hair Senta

References

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  1. ^ Meyer, Birgit (2015-10-16). Sensational Movies: Video, Vision, and Christianity in Ghana. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-28768-6.
  2. ^ a b "Jamasi Chief Abdicates". Graphic Online. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  3. ^ Tetteh, Ransford (2014-09-25). Daily Graphic: Issue 19573 September 25, 2014. Graphic Communications Group.
  4. ^ Ellison, Kofi. "A Tale Of Two Abdications!". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2022-06-21.
  5. ^ Talking Drums. Talking Drums. 1984.
  6. ^ a b Online, Peace FM. "Phamous Philms Gyo and Gerald Lose Dad". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Traders of Kantamanto market will be given priority after re-construction - Gov't - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  8. ^ a b Team (2019-11-15). "GUESTBLOG: Ghanaian Cinema From 1970-1980". GhMovieFreak. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  9. ^ Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Yaw (2005-10-08). Daily Graphic: Issue 149554 October 8 2005. Graphic Communications Group.
  10. ^ Garritano, Carmela (2013-02-15). African Video Movies and Global Desires: A Ghanaian History. Ohio University Press. ISBN 978-0-89680-484-5.
  11. ^ a b Garritano, Carmela (2013-02-15). African Video Movies and Global Desires: A Ghanaian History. Ohio University Press. ISBN 978-0-89680-484-5.
  12. ^ "Meet one of the revolutionaries of Ghanaian music videos - Gyo Gyimah". Ghana Music. 2019-10-27. Retrieved 2022-06-21.