Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has criticised some Ghanaian actors for allegedly demanding the same appearance fees paid to Nigerian actors before agreeing to feature in joint film projects.
The actor made the remarks shortly after arriving in Accra, Ghana, for a new movie project, claiming that the issue had affected the production he was in the country to shoot.
Kanayo expressed frustration over what he described as a practice by some Ghanaian actors of asking producers to match the fees received by 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. It happens even up to today,” he said.
The actor argued that there was a hierarchy within the entertainment industry and urged Ghanaian actors to negotiate their own fees rather than compare their earnings with those of Nigerian stars.
“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,” Kanayo said.
He further urged Ghanaian actors to focus on negotiating what they believe they are worth rather than concerning themselves with the fees paid to Nigerian performers.
“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,” he said.
Kanayo also jokingly threatened to “invoke Amadioha” if the practice continued.
The actor reportedly threatened to publicly identify the Ghanaian actors involved in the dispute but later decided against naming them after colleagues at the filming location prevailed upon him.
His comments have drawn attention to the differences in remuneration and negotiations between actors in the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industries, particularly on productions involving talents from both countries.
