Veteran Ghanaian actress Harriet Naa Akleh Okanteh, popularly known as Auntie B, has made a candid revelation about the financial realities of her decades-long career in the country’s movie industry, disclosing that she has not been able to acquire a house or any major property through acting.
In an exclusive interview with Okay FM’s Nana Romeo, the celebrated actress revealed that despite spending more than 40 years entertaining Ghanaians on screen, she has little to show for her acting career in terms of material assets.
When asked whether she had managed to purchase a house, car, or other valuable property with the income she earned from acting, Auntie B responded with a straightforward “No,” explaining that she preferred to be honest about her circumstances rather than create a false impression.
“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.
According to the veteran actress, acting, particularly during the early years of Ghana’s film industry, did not provide actors with enough financial rewards to accumulate wealth or invest in long-term assets.
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 her acting career. She explained that regular MC engagements enabled her to provide for herself and raise her children.
However, she lamented that opportunities in the events industry have become increasingly competitive, making it difficult to secure bookings without recommendations or personal connections.
To supplement her income, the actress disclosed that she has also ventured into selling small items, stressing that she cannot afford to remain idle while waiting for opportunities to come her way.
Speaking about the kind of support she would appreciate, Auntie B said receiving a house or a car would significantly improve her situation. She recalled with gratitude that Reverend Obofour had previously gifted her a vehicle, but disclosed that the car has since developed major mechanical faults and is currently at a repair shop.