Ghanaian comic actor, born Richmond Xavier Amoako, but popularly known as Lawyer Nti, has said that the comedy industry is now far better than some years back.
After careful analysis, he said that the industry is currently receiving a lot of support from stakeholders.
Lawyer Nti told in an interview:
“Currently, when you look at the comedy industry, the kind of support we are receiving among others, if you compare it to the situation some few years ago, I will say it is far better now. But of course there is more to be done”.
Lawyer Nti
However, stand-up comedy in Ghana is not much to boast about compared to other countries like Nigeria because there has not been the necessary investment and deliberate effort to sustain the industry.
The comic actor said that Ghanaians are hoping for the best as well.
He stressed:
“People see entertaining as something cheap to do so when they invite you to be their MC, they want to pay you a little. But that same person, that same person would like to give a musician about GHC 20,000 to perform for just about five minutes at the same program you are just paid about GHC 2,000 as MC for about 2 hours.
“Some of these things are a bit worrying, but we pray that as our fun base grows, they will begin to appreciate our craft and pay us well”.
Lawyer Nti
In order to place the nation on the international market, the industry has a lot of potential but also needs appropriate funding to completely establish the comedy space.
Also, industry peers are to continually invest in their professional development in order to secure the necessary backing and funding from investors.
Stakeholders in the comedy industry believe Ghana would advance and gain global attention if the required financing and attention are committed.
Acting doesn’t pay in Ghana
Famous comic actor Lawyer Nti of Kejeta Vrs Makola fame said acting in Ghana doesn’t pay.
According to him, the amount of effort actors and actresses put into their craft does not correspond to the amount of money they make at the end of the day.
He also noted that acting in Ghana recently has not been a frequent thing.
He told:
“It doesn’t pay that much. This is because if you consider the amount of work you put into your craft and other things you have to do and the money you get, we can say that it doesn’t pay. And also, the money from acting doesn’t come frequently. It is not unlike when acting in Ghana was very lucrative where people like Agya Koo would have to work all day”.
Lawyer Nti
The comic actor further revealed to the Host:
“Now, you are called to act in a space of about two to three months so you have to depend on the money you have already earned till you are called for a different job”.
Lawyer Nti
Also, famous comic actor Mr. Beautiful has also made similar statements that it doesn’t pay to be an entertainer in Ghana.
The actor stated that entertainment isn’t profitable in counties with less population.
He remarked;
“People don’t respect the work that we do but it’s so profitable but the point is that entertainment doesn’t pay well in countries with less population.
“What is it that Nigerians and South Africans do that we can’t do here in Ghana but our setback is our population cos numbers are not on our side”.
Mr. Beautiful
He opined:
“Even in the UK they do a lot of movies but they always publish their movies in the USA because America has got the numbers.
“Entertainment pays very well but those of us in Ghana entertainment don’t pay well here in Ghana because numbers don’t help us”.
Mr. Beautiful
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