Actor Kwaku Manu has added his voice to the ongoing debate about the influence of juju (voodoo) in the Kumawood movie industry. This discussion was recently ignited by actress Portia Asare Boateng.
In a recent interview on Daybreak Hitz with DJ Slim on Hitz FM, Kwaku Manu addressed the topic, acknowledging that while he does not personally believe in juju, he is aware of its presence and the fact that some of his colleagues engage in its practices.
“I don’t believe in juju, but I know it exists,” Manu stated. “If you can pray for protection, then do so. There are traditional believers who pray to their gods, and I’ve seen communities pacifying these gods since my childhood. For instance, in New Edubiase, there’s a river where people don’t fish in, and women on their menstrual cycle are forbidden to cross it,” he explained.
Manu further highlighted that some individuals seek out shrines with the intent of harming their competitors. “Some people visit these places with the intention of causing someone else’s downfall. They don’t even sleep; they can go to the cemetery at dawn just to hinder someone’s progress. Even pastors are engaged in spiritual battles,” he said.
He elaborated on the presence of spiritual forces beyond the Kumawood industry. “There are spiritual forces at play everywhere, not just in Kumawood. The world isn’t just about eating and enjoying life,” Manu added.
Emphasizing the need for structural reforms in the film industry, Manu noted that unity alone does not ensure order or success. “Unity doesn’t guarantee orderliness and success, but laws can. If we enact laws to budget and sponsor movie productions in the country, actors’ personal sentiments would matter less,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Kwaku Manu stressed, “Juju is real, so protect yourself spiritually if you can.”
