Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Ghanaian actress Martha Ankomah has spoken out about the deep-rooted issue of colourism in the local movie industry, revealing how dark-skinned actors have faced discrimination and pressure to lighten their skin in order to secure roles.
During the PCH Hangouts 2025 Edition at ICGC New Wine Temple, East Legon, Ankomah recalled a moment when a producer bluntly criticized her complexion. “Martha, you are too black… the lights we use in acting, when we put the light on you, you won’t shine.” These words, she explained, reflected a widespread bias in the industry, where lighter skin was often equated with desirability and screen appeal.
As a result of this industry standard, many of her colleagues resorted to skin bleaching to fit the perceived beauty norms. “Because of that pressure, most of my colleagues started bleaching, and that’s why some of them are fair. If you’ve been watching Ghanaian movies for a while, you’ll know that some of them were not fair before, but now they are because they had to maintain it.”
Despite the industry’s biases, Ankomah refused to conform to the bleaching trend, attributing her decision to wisdom, faith, and the strong values instilled in her by her family. “I thank God for wisdom because the Bible says the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I thank God for my parents… my dad was an Adventist, may he rest in peace, and my mom is a strict Pentecostal.”
“It Takes the Grace of God”
Reflecting on her journey in the entertainment industry, Ankomah acknowledged the struggles she endured before the rise of social media. Unlike today, where actors and influencers can build their brands on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, she began her career at a time when exposure was limited to film posters and TV screens.
“It hasn’t been easy. It has just been the grace of God. When we started, there was nothing like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Twitter. It was just you being put on a poster.”
She also addressed long-standing rumours about actors engaging in questionable activities to advance their careers, emphasizing that such pressures exist across various professions. “I’m sure wherever you are working too, people do all sorts of things just to be there. So it’s everywhere, trust me, but it takes the grace of God for you to say no to a lot of things.”
Ankomah’s revelations shed light on the harsh realities of the Ghanaian movie industry, particularly the discrimination faced by dark-skinned actors. Her decision to remain true to herself and resist industry pressures serves as an inspiration to young actors navigating the world of entertainment.
