We are struggling but not broke - Lydia Forson on Ghana’s movie industry

This she claims, has left a lot of actors, actresses, and producers financially distressed. Lydia confessed that the movie industry in Ghana is struggling, but was of the opinion that if the actors and actresses are paid well, there is a chance the industry will be revived once again.

She, however, debunked the widespread notion that Ghanaian actors and actresses are so broke and living a life of penury because of the ailing movie industry.

“When I say the industry is underpaid compared to other industries it is because I do believe that we should be paid more than we are being paid now. It doesn’t mean we (actors/actresses) are broke and can’t afford anything. I do admit that the Ghana movie industry is relatively young, and it’s a struggle for every industry that is just starting from the beginning”, she said.

Lydia who is very vocal in her beliefs also cautioned the public to desist for portraying actors and actresses as people who can’t afford a decent lifestyle. She said she gets surprised when people question entertainers who are living a luxurious lifestyle and gets annoyed when it is portrayed as though they can’t afford certain luxury things by themselves.

She said “we have created this stigma around filmmakers, actors, and actresses that they shouldn’t be able to afford a certain way of life and you shouldn’t be smart enough to diversify your income. I’m an entertainer and I’m expected to diversify my source of income”. “It’s offensive when as an actress you buy something nice but it is expected that a man bought it for me. Even an ordinary person can have a person buy a car for her and it’s not a problem but when my boyfriend buys a car for me I’m reduced to that’s all I am,” she added.

“A lot of the young girls now come into the industry with false expectation. That is why we see a lot of people who are not really interested in acting but they feel it’s a way to market yourself for men to buy you nice things. I’m not judging them in any way but we are more than just actors/actresses,” she emphasized.