Veteran Nigerian actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has criticised some Ghanaian actors for demanding appearance fees comparable to those earned by leading Nigerian actors before agreeing to feature in film productions.
The Nollywood star, popularly known as K.O.K., made the remarks while speaking to Ghanaian media in Accra, where he is currently involved in a film production.
Kanayo expressed frustration over what he described as attempts by some Ghanaian actors to equate their fees with those of established Nigerian actors.
According to him, actors should negotiate fees based on their individual standing and experience rather than demanding to be paid the same amount as more established counterparts.
“I am K.O.K. 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.
He added that such disagreements over remuneration had affected the production he was in Ghana to work on.
“There is hierarchy even in heaven. In the movie industry, there is hierarchy,” Kanayo said.
The veteran actor urged Ghanaian performers to negotiate what they believe they are worth rather than concerning themselves with the fees paid to Nigerian actors.
“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,” he said.
He advised actors to focus on securing what they consider fair compensation for their own work and avoid comparing their earnings with those of their Nigerian counterparts.
Kanayo also threatened to publicly disclose the names of Ghanaian actors whom he said had made such demands. However, he later withdrew the threat after colleagues at the production intervened and prevailed upon him not to identify the individuals.