Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson has urged the government to treat Ghanaian entertainers with the same level of respect as stars from the diaspora.
In an interview with Bella Mundi on TV3, dated, May 21, 2024, the actress was questioned about the Year of Return initiative and how foreign celebrities rarely socialize with Ghanaian celebrities when they visit the country.
Lydia Forson went on to express her displeasure at the advantages and easy access to state properties granted to foreign celebrities and entertainers who come to the nation when their Ghanaian counterparts are not afforded the same treatment.
“Give them an access that you will never give me, access to helicopters, to hotels, to discounts, to do hip hop hurray at Jubilee House that you will not give me. It is a mindset…I have no problem with them bringing entertainers because I have a lot of great friends outside who come to town,” she said.
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According to the “A Sting in a Tale” actress, Nigerians would not treat a foreign celebrity better than their local celebrities.
“Let me give you an example. If you go to Lagos, I hate these comparisons but it’s the reality. They will never treat an outsider better than they will treat you, they will treat you on the same level,” she said.
.@lydiaforson questions why the Year of Return campaign offers privileges to diasporans that wouldn't be available to Ghanaian entertainers, urging for equal respect.#TheDayShow pic.twitter.com/U3kLAxpDZi
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) May 21, 2024
She also recounted an experience she had on a tour with some Hollywood celebrities who did not know her, to pay a courtesy call to a chief who acknowledged her presence.
“And when they mentioned names and they mentioned my name, he said, is that Lydia Forson? I love the way you write. He shook my hand and told me how proud he was of me. Right there and then all those people (Hollywood celebrities) began to acknowledge me and exchanged numbers,” she added.
She stated that the chief’s initial recognition of her changed the mindset of those who had previously not recognised her, adding that “we must treat ourselves with the same respect as we expect others to respect us.”
Lydia Forson is a Ghanaian actress, writer, and producer. She began her acting career with appearances in films including “Hotel St. James,” “Run Baby Run,” “Different Shades of Blue,” and “Scorned.”
In 2010, she was named African Movie Academy’s Best Actress in a Leading Role.
