Ghanaian actress Sandra Boateng has shared a heartfelt and eye opening account of her experiences in the country’s movie industry, revealing the struggles, exploitation, and challenges many upcoming actors face behind the scenes.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fiifi Pratt on the Afro Joint Show on Aluta FM in Madina on November 7, Sandra opened up about the realities of life as a young actress trying to make a name for herself in an industry often painted as glamorous.
According to her, the journey has not been easy. She disclosed that during her early years in acting, she faced numerous obstacles,from unpaid roles to being sidelined despite investing her time and money.
“Working in the film industry wasn’t easy for me. Sometimes you would spend your own money to go on set, only to appear in one scene or not be featured at all,” she revealed.
Sandra further touched on one of the industry’s dark sides,sexual exploitation and favoritism. She noted that in the past, some directors and producers allegedly demanded sexual favors in exchange for roles.
“Many directors would only cast people they had personal relationships with and even with that all of those people were given roles at the end and If you refused their advances, you could be left out of the movie entirely,” she said.
Despite witnessing several disheartening incidents on set, Sandra emphasized that the experience taught her valuable lessons about self-worth and resilience.
“At a point, I realized the industry wasn’t paying enough, so I decided to focus on building my life,” she explained.
The actress also recalled her first role in the movie 16 years, which she featured in at the age of 17. She played a supporting role alongside celebrated Ghanaian stars Nana Ama McBrown, Bill Asamoah, and Mame Serwaa who played the lead role.
“That was my first movie experience, and though it was challenging, it was unforgettable,” Sandra added.
Sandra Boateng’s story serves as a reminder of the silent battles many young creatives face in pursuit of their dreams and a call for integrity and fairness within the Ghanaian movie industry.
By Awini Britney
