Acting could not pay my bills – Kyeiwaa

Veteran Ghanaian actress, Rose Mensah, popularly known as Kyeiwaa, has revealed that financial difficulties in Ghana forced her to seek greener pastures in the United States.

The actress said that although she was a familiar face in the Ghanaian movie industry, her acting career did not provide enough income to sustain her lifestyle.

Speaking in a social media post, Kyeiwaa disclosed that her financial struggles had become so overwhelming that she feared sinking into depression if she remained unemployed.

She recounted travelling in a commercial vehicle, popularly known as trotro, while her movies were still showing on television. She said the experience left her deeply embarrassed after some passengers questioned why a popular actress was using public transport.

According to her, the incident made her reflect on her financial circumstances and consider relocating abroad in search of better opportunities.

Kyeiwaa said she was prepared to take up any available job, regardless of how demanding it was, rather than remain at home without an income.

She subsequently moved to the United States, where she took on various jobs, including carrying salt and cleaning chicken coops, to make ends meet.

However, videos and reports about her working abroad attracted criticism and ridicule from some social media users, who questioned why an actress of her standing would engage in such jobs.

The actress said the criticism overlooked the fact that she was earning an honest living and working to improve her circumstances.

She explained that the jobs provided her with an income at the end of each week, something she struggled to achieve through acting in Ghana.

Kyeiwaa said she would not have considered doing such work abroad if her acting career had provided her with sufficient financial security at home.

She also urged the public to stop judging people based on the jobs they do, stressing that fame and professional status do not necessarily translate into financial stability.

The actress maintained that her decision to relocate was not driven by shame but by the need to survive and build a better life.