He says the country risks losing an important part of its cultural history if the contributions of actors, musicians, filmmakers and other entertainment pioneers are not properly documented and preserved for future generations.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the actor expressed concern that several celebrated personalities in the entertainment industry were passing away without their professional achievements receiving adequate recognition.
He called for a national institution that would preserve the works, photographs, memorabilia and other contributions of prominent creative industry figures while providing younger generations with an opportunity to learn about their history.
“We are watching our entertainment legends die without preserving their legacies, and that is very frustrating. I have been to museums in New York, Holland and other places, and I believe Ghana can establish something similar to preserve the works and achievements of its creative personalities,” he said.
Agya Koo cited examples from other countries where the achievements and personal belongings of entertainment icons are preserved and displayed for public appreciation.
He noted that Ghana should adopt similar practices rather than waiting until prominent industry figures die before celebrating their contributions.
“Even in Japan, they have works of Bruce Lee and Jet Li, and they even preserve their footprints. People pay to see these things, but in Ghana, we do not document the achievements of our creative legends. Instead, we wait for them to die before remembering their contributions and eventually, their memories fade,” he added.
The actor urged the Office of the President and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to consider the proposal and provide the necessary support for its implementation.
He also challenged the perception that meaningful contributions to national development must come from people with formal academic qualifications, arguing that practical experience and exposure could offer valuable ideas for the country's development.
Beyond preserving the industry's history, Agya Koo raised concerns about the welfare of actors, particularly those who become financially vulnerable because of old age or illness.
He proposed a welfare or insurance scheme under which film producers would contribute 20 per cent of the amounts allocated for actors' payments to support performers who can no longer work.
According to him, the proposed arrangement would provide financial assistance to actors facing health challenges, old age and other difficult circumstances.
He argued that financial difficulties among retired entertainers should not always be attributed to poor financial management, as unforeseen circumstances could also affect their livelihoods.
“We know that some of our colleagues find themselves in difficult circumstances in their old age. It is not always because they mismanaged their lives. Sometimes, life simply happens, and that is why we must put measures in place to support them,” he said.
Agya Koo disclosed that he would be willing to engage the President to explore how the proposal could be developed into a formal welfare arrangement.
“I would even consider engaging the President on the proposal to explore how it could be formalised and implemented,” he added.
The actor also reflected on the transformation of Ghana's film industry, particularly its shift from traditional television broadcasting and physical CDs to digital distribution platforms such as YouTube.
While acknowledging that digital platforms have created opportunities for emerging filmmakers to produce and distribute content, he expressed concern about the quality of some productions.
He stressed the need for improvements in storytelling, production standards and overall filmmaking quality as the industry adapts to changing audience preferences and technology.
Agya Koo called on experienced actors, producers and filmmakers to take a more active role in mentoring emerging talents and sharing the knowledge they have acquired over the years.
He said veteran practitioners should not distance themselves from the next generation but should contribute to developing their skills and strengthening the industry.
His proposals highlight the need to preserve Ghana's entertainment heritage, improve the welfare of industry practitioners and encourage knowledge-sharing between established and emerging creatives..
