After the tragic passing of Nigerian actor Junior Pope in a boat accident during a movie shoot, a video has resurfaced online showing Ghanaian actor John Dumelo refusing to participate in a canoe scene due to safety concerns.
Junior Pope and three crew members lost their lives when the boat they were on capsized at the River Niger Cable Point Asaba on April 10, 2024. In his final social media post, Junior Pope can be seen riding on the boat without a life jacket, acknowledging the risks involved.
In light of this incident, an old video of John Dumelo declining to take part in a scene due to safety worries has gained attention. The video shows John Dumelo, alongside actors like Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Win and the late Bernard Nyarko, quickly exiting a canoe before it was pushed into the river.
Armed with a prop pistol and without a life jacket, John Dumelo expressed his concerns about safety and refused to board the canoe despite efforts from his colleagues to reassure him.
The death of Junior Pope has ignited a conversation on social media over the safety and working conditions of actors on the continent.
Meanwhile, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has announced a suspension of all film productions involving boat rides following the fatal boat accident of Wednesday.
“Following the tragic incident of a boat mishap that claimed the life of Junior Pope and three other crew members at the waterside of the River Niger Cable Point Asaba on 10th of April, all films that involve riverine areas and boat riding are hereby suspended indefinitely.
“No shoot on all locations nationwide on Thursday, 11th April 2024, and the film titled ‘The Other Side of Life’ is suspended indefinitely.
“Also, no actor is allowed to work with Adamma Luke as a producer till further notice, while we keep searching for the bodies of the remaining persons,” President of AGN, Emeka Rollas, said in a statement.
Throwback to when John Dumelo came down from the canoe during a movie set.
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) April 11, 2024