Ken Fiati, the spokesperson for the Ghana Actors’ Guild (GAG), has described the worsening conditions and welfare of some veteran actors in recent times as worrying.
This follows a recent trend of old actors and actresses seeking help from the public on social media. This issue has aroused a huge backlash over the role of the Actors’ Guild in addressing this disturbing trend.
Mr. Fiati, who doubles as the Head of the Technical Committee of GAG, pinned the situation to a lingering three-year legal tussle involving the actors’ body and some members. According to Ken, the legal issue affected the operations of the organization.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Fiati disclosed that his administration planned to put in place some measures to improve the welfare of members, however the legal issues they are facing, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, has hindered their motive.
“For us, as a Guild, we find it very troubling and worrying but I think it deserves some attention so that we can solve it once and for all. Our administration tried working out some form of insurance policy for our actors and we are still exploring that option.
“With these ongoing court issues, we have to be circumspect in our operations as a Guild. We had some plans to review the subscription and put in place some welfare and insurance packages for members but the court case has made it difficult to implement”.
Ken Fiati, the spokesperson for the Ghana Actors’ Guild
Amidst the challenges confronting the Guild, Mr. Fiati revealed that the membership of the Guild contributes to assisting members who are in need of support, especially with regards to issues of welfare.
Mr. Fiati further asserted that the National Film Authority should make available the Film Fund for actors to help curtail the worsening plights of some members.
The trend where veteran actors and actresses come out to seek help has been one of a great concern. It has been the case that most of these actors, after entertaining Ghanaians all their lives, mostly retire with nothing and in some instances suffer all kinds of chronic diseases.
However, some who are lucky enough get some support from the government or individuals. The deteriorating conditions are captured and circulated in the media space and this somewhat prompts the attention of some government officials and individuals to extend a hand of support.
It can be recalled that Vice President Bawumia on September 13, 2021, donated GH¢50,000 to Mr. Psalm Adjeytefio popularly known as T.T. GH¢30,000 of the money was expected to pay for the actor’s rent for five years, and ¢20,000 was to be spent on his upkeep.
This was after the ‘Taxi Driver’ TV series actor, in a viral interview, appealed for ¢3,000 to enable him pay his rent or risk being evicted. The renowned veteran actor who is on retirement revealed that after years of his acting career, he has nothing to show for it and now survives on the benevolence of others.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama, sometime in 2016 donated items like foodstuff and cash to some veterans in the Ghanaian music and film industry.
Mr. Mahama who was the then-President revealed that the initiative was intended to help these veterans. Mahama stated at the time that the initiative was part of his dream to see to better welfare of veterans in the Ghanaian music and movie industry.
Some of the veterans that benefited from the cash and foodstuff donations included Super OD, Mc Jordan Amartey, AB Crenstil, Mr. Mensah, Kohwe, Odompo, JA Adofo, CK Man, Grace Nortey among others.
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