Mikki Osei Berko Highlights Financial Challenges in Ghana’s Entertainment Industry

Renowned broadcaster and actor, Mikki Osei Berko, recently shared his concerns about the lack of financial remuneration in Ghana’s entertainment industry compared to other sectors. In a candid conversation on 3FM’s #UrbanBlend with Blakk Rasta, Osei Berko reflected on his experience working on the popular television series Taxi Driver and how it shaped his identity within the industry.

While acknowledging the invaluable experience gained from projects like Taxi Driver, Osei Berko stressed that financial returns were not something to boast about. He attributed this issue to the prevailing mindset that showbiz is often seen as a part-time venture rather than a profession that can sustain livelihoods.

According to Osei Berko, people often fail to recognize that showbiz is a means of putting food on the table and regard it as a service that can be compensated with food and drinks. This perception, combined with a lack of sponsorship, has contributed to the difficulty in achieving substantial financial success within the industry.

Despite these challenges, Osei Berko expressed no regrets about his involvement in Taxi Driver, emphasizing its significant contribution to his career growth. He acknowledged that the impact of such projects cannot be measured solely in monetary terms, as they play a crucial role in shaping an artist’s identity and establishing their presence within the industry.

“What happened on the set of Taxi Driver for me was the experience aspect. I always look at the positive side of stuff. I could say Taxi Driver for me could say arguably is one of the projects that has made me who I am and you cannot count that in money,”

“With regards to financial returns, I think that it was not to write home about and I am saying this clearly because the system hasn’t changed,” he added.

“You know people consider showbiz as a part-time business, they don’t really understand that it is what put food on your table. They think that if they ask you to MC their event and offer you food and drinks that’s it.  People do not regard this as an endeavour that pays so much and it was the difficulty at the time and I think sponsorship contributed to that,” he recalled.

“For me to say that Taxi Driver was something I’ve never regretted being part of because to added so much to my career.  If you count that in money you can’t see anything,” he concluded

Osei Berko’s candid remarks shed light on the financial struggles faced by many individuals in Ghana’s entertainment industry. His insights serve as a call for greater recognition of showbiz as a legitimate profession that requires adequate financial support and compensation. Addressing these issues would not only benefit artists but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry.