Kanayo Warns Ghanaian Actors Against Comparing Their Fees With Nigerian Stars
By Dim Oba, LAGOS – Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has cautioned Ghanaian actors against demanding the same fees paid to Nigerian stars when working on joint movie productions.
Kanayo, popularly known as KOK, made the remarks shortly after arriving in Accra, Ghana, for a movie project, claiming that some Ghanaian actors have developed the habit of asking producers to match the fees paid to Nigerian actors before agreeing to feature in a production.
The veteran actor said there was a hierarchy within the film industry and urged Ghanaian actors to negotiate their own fees instead of comparing their earnings with those of established Nigerian actors.
“I am KOK. I was among the founding fathers. You now wake up in Ghana… They call KOK to come and act in Ghana; you Ghanaian boy will now insist they pay you the same fees as me,” he said.
“It happens even up to today. There is hierarchy even in heaven. In the movie industry, there is hierarchy.
“Negotiate what you want to be paid. Don’t equate yourself with me.
“Tell your Ghanaian brothers and sisters, it is not your business what they pay Nigerian actors. Go and negotiate your own, receive it and go and rest, and then you will have peace in your life; otherwise, I will invoke Amadioha.”
KOK further disclosed that the issue had surfaced in the production he was about to work on in Ghana.
He reportedly threatened to mention the names of some Ghanaian actors allegedly involved in the practice but was persuaded not to do so.
His comments have sparked discussion about pay disparities, professional hierarchy and the value attached to actors in the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industries.
