Fix rates for GH actors —Isaac Arthur advocates

ACTOR and creative industry advocate, Isaac Kofi Arthur, is calling on industry stakeholders to establish a standardised payment structure to ensure fair compensation for the work of Ghanaian actors.

The implementation of such a policy, he said, would economically empower the actors since the current system wasn’t favouring young actors especially.

In an interview with the Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, April 8, Isaac Arthur said that has been the standard practice in other countries but Ghana was lagging behind in introducing such an initiative to improve the lives of actors.

He blamed the Ghana Actors Guild for this, noting the Guild’s many challenges including its court cases which have resulted in the absence of a formidable leadership to make productive policies, stifling the industry’s progress.

“As a creative industry advocate and an actor myself, I think there are many things wrong with our film industry and that is why I’m advocating Ghanaian actors to have fixed rates for roles.”

“There should be payment for those who play lead, supporting and extra roles or even for A-list actors and actresses. Unfortunately, that is not happening and film producers are taking advantage of the porous system.”

“There are young actors and actresses who are paid as low as GH¢150 for playing extras. Now the question is, ‘how do you expect someone to spend the whole day on set and get paid just GH¢150? If the person takes out transportation cost, how much will be left to depend on?”

“All these are happening in the movie industry, yet the Ghana Actors Guild is in court fighting over executive positions,” he lamented.

The Ghanaian film industry is facing a plethora of challenges and some industry players have not shied away from pointing them out. (Read also: Traditional music not ‘colo’ —Sherifa Gunu, Women who enhance their body lack self-confidence, says Yvonne Nelson)

In a recent interview with the Graphic Showbiz, actress Beverly Afaglo expressed her disagreement with how producers prioritised personal ‘connections’ over talent.  

She noted the practice was worrisome as it negatively impacted the industry because quality was being compromised in favour of friendships and affiliations.  

Giving his take on that, Isaac Arthur agreed with Beverly, adding that the unprofessionalism that is negatively affecting the industry could be prevented with an active and effective Ghana Actors Guild.

“It’s a pity that getting roles as an actor doesn’t depend on talent but on connections. That is obviously affecting the quality of production and it goes a long way to affect the industry in