Ghanaian actor and comedian Jeffrey Nortey has expressed frustration over what he describes as an unfair trend in the local film industry, where loyal, lesser-known actors are sidelined once producers secure bigger budgets.

In a social media post, Jeffrey criticised some filmmakers for abandoning dependable and dedicated talents in favour of more popular faces when financing is no longer an issue.

According to him, this practice is not only disheartening but also damaging to the growth and authenticity of the industry.

“It’s really disheartening how SOME Ghanaian filmmakers operate. When funds are low, they call on the familiar, dependable faces, people who push their projects, promote them tirelessly, and show up with full commitment,” he wrote. 

“But the moment they secure the budget they’ve been chasing, they suddenly ‘upgrade’ and go for the actors they’ve always dreamed of working with, completely sidelining those who held them down when no one else would,” he added. 

Jeffrey, who has earned praise for his roles in both drama and comedy, argued that the visibility and success of many productions often hinge on the efforts of less-celebrated actors who promote their work relentlessly.

“It’s often the so-called lesser-known actors who go all out, constantly posting, engaging fans and doing everything they can to help a film succeed. Visibility doesn’t come from status alone, it comes from effort,” he added.

The actor further challenged the belief that casting bigger names automatically guarantees commercial success. 

“Let’s be clear, bigger faces don’t always bring bigger money. (I stand to be corrected). Filmmaking goes beyond star power. If we keep sacrificing loyalty for clout, we’ll keep building a shallow industry with no real roots,” he added.

Nortey, known for his performances in ‘The Storm’, ‘Terminus’, Heaven’ among others, has steadily risen through the ranks of Ghana’s entertainment scene. His versatility across film, television and stage, along with his strong social media presence, has earned him a loyal fan base.

In addition to acting, Nortey has gained popularity for his humorous skits and commentary, often using comedy as a tool to address social issues and industry dynamics. He is also a trained media professional, having hosted programmes on both radio and television.