- Samini highlights low wages for Ghanaian actors
- Musicians earn significantly more than actors he says
- amini urges industry leaders to reconsider pay for actors
Award-winning Ghanaian musician Samini has raised concerns about the low wages of actors in Ghana’s film industry, stating that their compensation does not reflect the hard work and dedication they put into their roles.
During a podcast interview, Samini shared his personal experiences on film sets, providing insight into the difficulties actors face, particularly regarding their payment.
He admitted that despite his talents, he has not pursued acting more seriously due to the physically and financially demanding nature of the profession.
“It’s a very taxing profession,” he remarked, emphasizing that while he holds the film industry in high regard, actors deserve better pay. Samini highlighted the disparity between the earnings of musicians and actors, specifically in 2025.
He explained that top musicians can earn between GHS 150,000 and GHS 250,000 for a full-band live performance, while lesser-known musicians make GHS 15,000 to GHS 20,000 for a 30-minute performance in Accra.
However, A-list actors, Samini revealed, often struggle to make GHS 10,000 to GHS 25,000 for an entire movie project, which can take up to three weeks of filming. “Some of the well-known names may push for GHS 20,000 to GHS 25,000, but that depends on who’s hiring them,” he explained. On the other hand, lesser-known actors sometimes get as little as GHS 2,000 for weeks of work.
“It’s absurd, and it needs to be addressed,” he stated, calling for a standardized pay system in the film industry similar to the one in music. He suggested that industry professionals should set a minimum pay structure to ensure fair compensation for actors.
Samini proposed that A-list actors should earn at least GHS 50,000 per movie, B-list actors should get a minimum of GHS 30,000, and no mainstream actor should receive less than GHS 15,000 for any role.
He believes that introducing a fair pay structure will not only improve actors’ livelihoods but also enhance the quality of Ghanaian films.
In his final comments, Samini urged producers, directors, and other industry figures to rethink how actors are paid, saying, “I believe you can afford to pay them a bit more.”
He emphasized that the hard work of actors should be recognized just as much as musicians’ contributions to the entertainment industry.
Samini’s comments have sparked an important discussion about the financial challenges faced by actors in Ghana, and many are hopeful that his advocacy will lead to better pay and conditions, allowing the film industry to thrive alongside the music sector.
