Actor and now producer, Ekow Smith Asante says he is undaunted by his present predicament. Smith Asante has been sidelined by the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG) for 24 months after producing his first movie, Daughters of Men. The actor was sidelined by FIPAG and its associate body, Film Regulatory Council in December 2010 for not obtaining the requisite permit for his foreign cast and crew before shooting the movie in Ghana. His sidelining came via a text message that read: “FIPAG and the Film Regulatory Council have instructed all members to sideline Mr. Ekow Smith for 24 months for engaging foreigners to shoot a film in Ghana without requisite documentation.” Members of FIPAG, the Film Regulatory Council and the police stormed Ekow’s set late November last year while shooting the said movie at East Lagon to stop the crew from shooting. He was subsequently asked to go to the Ministry of Information to seek permission to continue shooting and the Immigration Service for the requisite work permits for his Nigerian workers among his crew. Speaking to Hitz Entertainment News, Ekow said it is an experience he will definitely overcome. “I see it as challenges, I see it as hurdles. I see it as an eye opener. Things should happen to you, you can’t have everything so smooth,” he said. He added, “The people who sidelined me or banned, ostracised me as someone said, we all met at the Ghana Movie Awards, and we were all smiling and chatting… such is life. I see it as an experience which I will definitely jump over.” Story by Ernest Dela Aglanu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana