"I was sacked from my TV show because I bleached my skin" — Bukom Banku

Ghanaian entertainer and boxer Bukom Banku has revealed that his decision to bleach his skin cost him his television job.

Appearing on UCook Live on United Television, hosted by gospel musician Empress Gifty, Bukom Banku explained that his popular show was cancelled after the station expressed disapproval of his bleached appearance.

According to him, the network’s decision came as a shock. He questioned why his personal choices should affect his professional life, insisting that his personality and talent should matter more than his looks.

“I don’t understand why I should be sacked for bleaching my skin. Everything I do to myself is part of my talent. The company should focus on what I bring to the table, not my looks,” he said.

Bukom Banku was the host of Bukom Banku Live, a comedy and entertainment show that aired on GHOne TV. The programme, launched during the 2020 general elections, quickly became one of the most talked-about shows thanks to his outspoken nature and comic flair. However, it was abruptly cancelled a few months later.

At the time, GHOne TV announced that Bukom Banku Live had fulfilled its purpose for the election season and would not continue. But several reports suggested that the decision was partly linked to public criticism of Bukom Banku’s skin bleaching.

Photos of his lighter complexion and bleached eyelashes had sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some viewers speculating that the negative publicity influenced the station’s move.

Bukom Banku has previously admitted to bleaching his skin intentionally to attract attention and revive his public image, describing it as part of his strategy to “restore his dying name.”

He has since stopped bleaching after receiving advice from friends and medical professionals, acknowledging the serious health risks associated with the practice, including skin damage and potential cancer.