Veteran actor and TV personality, Jimmy Quist, widely known as Nii from the popular Ghanaian TV series Efiewura, has disclosed that he voluntarily joined the production due to financial constraints faced by the team in its early days.
In an exclusive interview with GhanaWeekend, Jimmy Quist revealed that his decision to join the show was influenced by a personal connection to the production team.
“It was a friend’s production, and I met the producer at his residence. There were budgetary constraints, so some of us who were already gainfully employed in the media offered to help,” he stated.
Quist, who played an active role in the series for over 13 years, shared that the show initially relied heavily on advertisements and paid slots to stay on air. “At that time, it was showing on TV3, and you had to pay for the slot. That’s where the whole thing started,” he explained.
He also recalled the early days of Efiewura, which began with the late John Evans Bosompem, popularly known as Santo, and later featured the legendary Katawere after Santo’s passing. “The idea was that those of us volunteering would support the show as it grew,” Quist added.
Despite his long-term commitment, Quist revealed that his contributions were never backed by a formal contract. “I was just given stipends for fueling my car because I drove myself to set. Along the line, things improved slightly, and you could get something more substantial, but it still wasn’t contractual.”
According to him, he also assisted the producer in securing broadcasting slots by trading the series with other TV networks. “I did my part. Now he has to play his part. The producer and I haven’t had any recent conversations about me appearing on the show,” he stated.
Reflecting on the journey, Quist emphasized that the producer had made enough from the show to return and settle outstanding obligations to those who supported it from the beginning. “If for nothing at all, he should come back and settle us. From where I stand now, we’ve outlived Efiewura,” he said
