FIPAG wanted to end my dreams – Yvonne Nelson [Video]

Ghanaian actress and movie producer Yvonne Nelson has opened up about the challenges she has faced in the film industry, revealing that the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) attempted to sabotage her career.

According to Yvonne, her outspoken nature and willingness to address issues within the industry led to her being banned by FIPAG.

“I was banned by a group of men in the industry. They call themselves FIPAG. Something happened on set and they got together. When you are a woman and you are vocal; when you are unhappy with things around you and want to talk about them, people just don’t like that,” she said.

She continued, “They feel you just came into the industry. Why are you talking too much, why are you complaining too much? That was what I faced because they felt like I complained about everything that I was unhappy about.”

Yvonne shared these insights while speaking to Irene Adubea Aning on The Career Trail show on Joy News and Joy Learning TV.

She went on to say, “I believe in their minds, they wanted to intimidate, they wanted to end my dreams, they wanted to teach me a lesson, and they wanted to silence me as a young girl in the industry.”

Despite the ban, Yvonne found a silver lining and was inspired to start her production company, ‘YN Productions,’ with support from people like Kelvin Kobiri, who is now in ministry.

“I just decided that I can do my own thing. I can produce my own movies. Why don’t I try? So, I registered a company around that time and I started producing my movies,” she explained.

She added, “I met a gentleman named Kelvin Kobiri. He is into ministry now. He believed in me just like Abdul Salam believed in me. He funded my first 2 to 3 movies.”

However, Yvonne also shared that she faced significant sabotage. She recalled how her first production was stolen.

“The first production got stolen after editing. Armed robbers entered the editor’s studio and stole all his drives. We lost everything we had shot. I believe it was sabotage,” she recounted.

She continued, “They knew Yvonne, we banned her, what is she doing again? She is producing, okay, we shall see. So, I felt that there was a lot of hate going on in the industry. Till date, I don’t know who did that, but it is obvious.”

Despite the setback, Yvonne and her team reshot the entire production at a significant cost.

The actress revealed that, due to her resilience, she has successfully produced 14 movies, including Kotoka and Heels and Sneakers. She also hinted at her upcoming movie, Summer, which will be released soon.

Reflecting on her journey, Yvonne admitted that her experience in the film industry had been far from easy.

“For me, I have been through a lot as an actor and producer. I have seen the industry, I have tasted the hate, the greatness, and the goodness. It can be a toxic place. If you are not strong enough, I don’t think you would last,” she stated.

Last week, the 4th episode of The Career Trail New Edition delved into Yvonne Nelson’s early life. On Saturday, April 5, the second part of the conversation, focusing on her journey as a school owner and author, will be aired at 4 p.m. on Joy Learning TV and at 6 p.m. on Joy News.