On the latest episode of the All Inclusive Show on Zaa Radio, renowned Tamale actor Sakug’li made a shocking revelation about the state of compensation in the Northern Ghanaian movie industry. The actor shared that he was paid a meager GH₵70 for a role in a movie, despite spending two days on location for the shoot. His disclosure highlighted the dire financial conditions actors face, sparking a broader conversation on the need for better compensation within the industry.
Sakug’li expressed his support for the idea that cast services should be monetized, especially given the decline in CD sales, which traditionally helped sustain the industry. He lamented the current practice where actors compensate each other out of goodwill, arguing that this system is holding the industry back. He urged his colleagues to adopt a more professional approach to their work, ensuring that actors are fairly paid for their contributions.
The veteran actor further recounted his experience of starring in ten different movies as a lead character, yet never earning even GH₵1,000 from all of these roles combined. This experience, he said, underscores the urgent need for a shift away from the “use me, and I use you” mentality that prevails in the industry. Sakug’li’s call for actors to start paying each other for their services marks a significant step towards professionalizing the Northern Ghanaian film scene.
