Kanayo O. Kanayo Slams Ghanaian Actors Demanding Same Pay as Nigerian Stars

Veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has criticised some Ghanaian actors for allegedly demanding the same appearance fees as their Nigerian counterparts when featuring in joint movie productions.

The actor expressed his displeasure while speaking to Ghanaian media shortly after arriving in Accra for a new film project, accusing some Ghanaian stars of insisting that producers pay them rates equivalent to those offered to top Nigerian actors.

According to Kanayo, the practice reflects a lack of understanding of the hierarchy and differences in experience within the movie industry. He also disclosed that the issue had disrupted the production he travelled to Ghana to work on.

“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.

“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.

“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; otherwise, I will invoke Amadioha,” he said.

The actor further threatened to publicly expose the Ghanaian actors allegedly involved in the demands but eventually refrained from naming them after colleagues at the scene intervened.

Kanayo, popularly known as KOK, is one of Nollywood’s veteran actors, with decades of experience in the Nigerian film industry. He is widely recognised for his roles in several Nigerian movies and his contributions to the growth of the industry.