Famed actor and broadcaster Mikki Osei Berko, widely known for his iconic roles in “Taxi Driver” and “Dada Boat,” has expressed concerns about how the current players in the creative arts industry fail to learn from the veterans.
According to him, many of them viewed advancement in technology as a replacement for mentorship, therefore, they lessly regard formal training.
Speaking in a recent media interview, Osei Berko stated that, as a solid foundation of learning was crucial for success in his era, today, players felt unbothered about formal training.
“Back then, even with all the training we got from institutions like the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, we still looked up to legends like Tommy Annan Forson, Charley Sam, and Kwame Sefa Kayi.”
“These were people who set the pace, and we willingly sought guidance from them to improve our craft,” he said.
Osei Berko further observed that younger professionals often sidelined the worth of knowledge seasoned practitioners had to offer.
“Today’s artists seem reluctant to learn from those who paved the way. They think technology alone can replace experience and guidance,” he observed.
Talking about the reason mentorship was taking a back seat in recent times, he said the rise of digital tools had contributed to the decline in professional standards.
“Now, you can edit an entire production on your smartphone. That’s great for innovation, but when there’s no proper training to back it, the quality suffers,” he added.
For Osei Berko, the creative arts industry has immense potential, but the future depends on bridging the gap between old and new generations.
He, therefore, urged younger practitioners to embrace mentorship and learning, stressing that the “industry thrives with professionalism and excellence.”
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
