Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has told Ghanaian actors to stop comparing their fees with what Nigerian actors earn on joint movie projects.
Kanayo, popularly known as KOK, is currently in Accra for a new film. During a conversation with the Ghanaian press, he spoke about an issue he said still comes up when Nigerian and Ghanaian actors work together.
According to the actor, some Ghanaian performers expect to receive the same amount as Nigerian stars simply because they are appearing in the same production.
He said actors should instead negotiate based on their own value and experience rather than making another actor’s fee the basis for their demands.
He said:
“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. It happens even up to today. There is hierarchy even in heaven. In the movie industry, there is hierarchy”.
Kanayo said there is nothing wrong with asking for better pay, but actors should focus on negotiating what they believe they are worth.
“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”, he said.
He also said the issue came up again on the Ghanaian production he is currently working on. Kanayo explained that he nearly mentioned the people involved but eventually decided against naming them.
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