Kumawood actor Oboy Salinko has announced plans to provide monthly financial support to hundreds of veteran actors and musicians aged 60 and above as part of an initiative aimed at improving their welfare.
According to the actor, he intends to place between 300 and 500 veteran entertainers on his personal payroll from next year, with each beneficiary receiving GH¢1,000 every month.
Salinko said the initiative is designed to support veteran entertainers who have contributed significantly to the growth of Ghana’s creative arts industry but may now be facing financial difficulties as they grow older.
He explained that the monthly allowance would particularly help beneficiaries meet essential needs, including medical expenses and other welfare-related costs.
The announcement comes shortly after Salinko made a notable donation to veteran gospel musician Mc Abraham. The Kumawood actor reportedly presented him with a Honda CR-V vehicle and GH¢10,000 in cash as part of his efforts to support older entertainers.
Salinko said the planned monthly allowance forms part of his broader commitment to giving back to individuals who helped build Ghana’s entertainment industry through their years of work.
If implemented as announced, the initiative would provide significant financial support to the selected beneficiaries.
With between 300 and 500 people expected to benefit, the programme would require between GH¢300,000 and GH¢500,000 every month. Over a full year, this would amount to between GH¢3.6 million and GH¢6 million in financial assistance.
The proposal has attracted attention because of the longstanding concerns surrounding the welfare of veteran entertainers in Ghana.
Many actors and musicians who contributed to the development of the country’s film and music industries during their active years have faced financial and health challenges after leaving the spotlight.
For Salinko, the planned intervention is intended to ensure that some of these personalities are not forgotten after dedicating decades of their lives to entertaining the public.
The actor’s focus on people aged 60 and above also reflects the challenges associated with ageing, particularly for entertainers who may no longer have regular sources of income.
Salinko said his ultimate goal is to provide consistent assistance to veteran entertainers and help ease some of the financial pressure they face, especially in relation to healthcare and other basic needs.
The proposed programme, if successfully implemented, could become one of the more significant privately funded welfare initiatives targeting Ghanaian entertainers.
It could also encourage other individuals, organisations and stakeholders within the creative arts sector to consider similar measures to support veteran practitioners.
For now, attention will be on how Salinko’s proposed payroll system will be established, who qualifies to benefit and when the first monthly payments will begin.
Source: Thepressradio.com
