‘People see a movie that’ll last forever but paid us ‘ice water money’- Mikki Berko

Renowned Ghanaian actor and producer, Mikki Osei Berko, popularly known as ‘Dada Boat’ has shed light on the hardships and financial difficulties that veteran actors experience despite their significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Speaking on some of the challenges, Mikki noted that inadequate financial rewards and lack of industry policies to support the future of actors while they are no more active are key problems bedeviling the industry.

In an interview with GhanaWeb on February 6, Mikki lamented that even though a lot of them enjoy fame, they continue to face financial struggles everyday even in their later years.

“Inadequate rewards for the work that we do. People would have seen you on billboards, they would have seen you on TV programmes, but you have nothing to show. I always say that the best reward Ghanaian performers get is that, we are walking on the street and everyone is like ‘That’s him, that’s him,’ that is the best reward that we get.

“So, if there is nothing on your table or you don’t have any other form of skill to live by and grow with, and that is your only option, there is no way you are going to grow up wealthy or well-to-do,” he said.

According to Mikki Osei Berko, who is well-known for his important contributions to Ghana’s movie and television industries, he was once offered as little as GH¢1,000 to GH¢1,500 for film roles.

“If you look at the work I’ve done and calculate the financial returns, it’s absurd. Even now, people ask me to perform in films and offer me GH¢1,000 to GH¢1,500.

“People see a movie that will last forever, and all you got was ‘ice water money’,” he lamented.

He added, “When you go to other countries, performers are more respected than other professions. I always say that some actors in Hollywood can employ 20 or 30 doctors because they are well-paid. That’s because the industry values and appreciates the craft.

Mikki further emphasized that actors are not appreciated enough in Ghana.

“But in our case, it’s more of a hobby. People do it because they love it, but they aren’t rewarded. Most of these people die as paupers.”

He called for the implementation of policies that would ensure fair compensation and create more opportunities for actors.

“If the system is really worked out and there’s policy in place, people will earn more and have more opportunities,” he asserted.

The post ‘People see a movie that’ll last forever but paid us ‘ice water money’- Mikki Berko first appeared on 3News.

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