Auntie Bee recently opened up about her acting career, revealing that it has brought her little beyond fame. Speaking with Nana Romeo on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, she shared her reflections on a lifelong commitment to the craft.
From childhood, Auntie Bee harbored a deep love for acting and filmmaking, to the point where she didn’t pursue any other trade or craft. This unwavering passion affected her personal life, making it difficult to have children due to the industry’s demanding nature. She now acknowledges the wisdom in the adage, “Nothing is permanent,” and wishes she had diversified her skills when she was younger.
Auntie Bee’s career began with the Key Soap Concert Party, a comic theatre show that toured the country extensively. These tours often required staying in various towns and villages for extended periods, making it hard to save money. Economic hardships frequently followed, leaving her with little to bring back home.
She noted that while theatre initially provided abundant work, it offered minimal financial rewards. The advent of film brought better opportunities for some, but wealth and property were typically acquired by those who advanced quickly with producer support or had other financial means.
When asked about her gains from acting, Auntie Bee struggled to pinpoint significant benefits. She mentioned that football, rather than film, provided her with opportunities abroad. Despite being widely recognized, she felt that acting only provided a modest income for her and her children. The car she drives today was a gift from Rev Obofour or Nii Adotey Gyata, highlighting the limited material benefits she received from acting.
She expressed a desire for more substantial recognition for her contributions, such as land for a convenience store or a house. Auntie Bee’s acting career, spanning nearly 40 years, has left her with fame but little financial security.
“It was even football that took me abroad. Often, for movies, I was sidelined for international opportunities even though my name was on the list,” she said.
“It’s only fame that I got out of acting. I am recognized wherever I go. Acting did not give me marriage. Acting gave me nothing except a little money to spend with my children. Nothing. Well, the car I use up to today is what Rev Obofour or Nii Adotey Gyata gave me for my acting when I went to visit him.”