Mikki Osei Berko poised to save Ghana Actors’ Guild

Veteran Ghanaian actor, Mikki Osei Berkoe, affectionately called Master Richard, has pledged his dedication to saving the ailing Ghana Actors’ Guild.

Ghana Actors Guild, over the years, has been inactive in performing its role due to disunity and conflict within the group.

From the days of the late Nii Odoi Mensah, Reverend Eddie Coffie, to Sammy Fiscian, the guild has not been in the best of shape.

After the death of Reverend Eddie Coffie in 2016, Samuel Fiscian was elected President, but after assuming office, the Guild has been involved in an endless legal battle.

All of these things are happening at the expense of the Ghanaian movie industry, whereas in other jurisdictions, the guilds ensure fair wages, legal support, workshops, royalty collection, welfare systems among others.

Against this backdrop, Mikki Osei Berkoe believes it is time for someone to rise to the occasion and bring the various factions together.

He is of the view that this would put the guild in shape for them to deliver on their mandate.

Speaking to The Spectator, he said, “Those of us who are already in it should also contribute to policy discus­sions, raise awareness, and push.”

He added that lack of leadership has rendered some actors poor, “Looking at the entertainment they gave the nation, their lives shouldn’t have ended that way.”

He therefore called for positive action in revamping Ghana’s movie in­dustry to ensure that film practitioners not only entertain the masses but also secure sustainable livelihoods.

Master Richard called on all stake­holders to rally behind him to cause a change in the industry.

 By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme