Ghanaian actress, Martha Ankomah
Ghanaian actress Martha Ankomah has revealed the daunting challenges dark-skinned actors faced during her prime in the industry.
Speaking at the PCH Hangouts 2025 Edition, an event organised by the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) and streamed live on Graphic Online’s website, she shared her personal experiences with discrimination based on her skin tone.
Martha Ankomah said she was once told by a movie producer that her complexion was a disadvantage on set.
“Martha, you are too black… The lights we use in filmmaking won’t make you stand out” she recalled being told.
She noted that such biases led some actors to resort to skin bleaching in order to fit into beauty standards.
“If you’ve been following Ghanaian films for years, you’ll notice that some actors who were once dark-skinned are now much lighter because they felt the need to maintain that appearance” she added.
Martha Ankomah further emphasised that her upbringing and strong Christian background helped her stay true to herself.
She went on to credit her late father, an Adventist, and her mother, a devout Pentecost member, for instilling values that guided her decisions.
“The Bible teaches that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” she added.
AK/EB
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