Veteran actress Harriet Naa Akleh Okanteh, popularly known as Auntie B, has made a heartbreaking revelation about her life after spending more than four decades in Ghana’s movie industry.
In an exclusive interview with Okay FM’s Nana Romeo, the actress disclosed that despite her long-standing career in acting, she has not been able to acquire a house or any major property through her work in the film industry.
When asked whether she had acquired any house, car, or other valuable property from the money she earned through acting, Auntie B answered without hesitation: “No.” According to her, she has nothing significant to show for her years of dedication to acting and would rather tell the truth than pretend otherwise.
She further explained that acting, especially during the early years of her career, was not financially rewarding enough to enable actors to build wealth or invest in properties.
“After all these years in acting, I don’t have a house or any property I can proudly say I acquired from the money I earned through acting. I’m not ashamed to admit it because that’s the reality,” She said.
Auntie B revealed that what has largely sustained her and her family over the years has been her work as a master of ceremonies (MC) rather than acting. According to her, she used to receive numerous MC bookings, which helped her cater for herself and raise her children.
However, she lamented that the industry has now become highly competitive, making it difficult to secure opportunities unless someone recommends you. The movie star added that she has also turned to selling small items to make ends meet, stressing that she cannot afford to sit idle and wait for a miracle.
Read Also: Actress, ‘Auntie B’ reveals why Rev. Obofour gifted her a car
Speaking about the kind of support she would appreciate from fans and loved ones, Auntie B said she would gladly accept a house or a car. She recalled that Rev. Obofour once gifted her a vehicle, a gesture she remains grateful for. However, she disclosed that the car has developed serious faults and is currently at a repair shop.
Beyond her personal struggles, the screen icon expressed concern over the treatment veteran creatives receive whenever they speak publicly about their challenges. She noted that many seasoned actors and entertainers refuse to grant interviews because they often become targets of social media trolls, with people wrongly accusing them of begging whenever they answer questions honestly.
According to her, veteran actors simply respond truthfully when interviewers ask about their lives, yet sections of the public often misinterpret their comments.
Reflecting on the evolution of Ghana’s movie industry, Auntie B explained that during the peak of her acting career, the industry did not generate the kind of revenue it does today. Ironically, when better opportunities and financial rewards eventually emerged, many veteran actors, including herself, were sidelined in favour of a younger generation of actors.
The ‘Efiewura’ star stated that despite dedicating over 40 years of her life to acting, the profession never afforded her luxuries such as owning a house or traveling abroad, leaving her with little to show financially for her contribution to Ghana’s film industry. She believes that unfortunate transition denied her and several of her colleagues the opportunity to fully benefit from the industry’s growth.
