The music scene in Ghana is on a dangerous path, echoing the collapse of the film industry. If we don’t act, we’re heading for another disaster.
Ghanaian filmmaker Socrate Safo has sounded the alarm about the precarious state of the country’s creative industry, drawing unsettling parallels between today’s music sector and the once-thriving film industry that ultimately fell apart. In a recent post on Facebook, he highlighted key factors that contributed to the decline of the film sector, including rampant piracy, free access to content, and an overall erosion of perceived value.
According to Safo, the music industry is treading a similar course. He pointed out that artists today are often incurring significant debts to stage free concerts in hopes of generating buzz on social media, all while experiencing real financial losses. “The applause fades, but the losses remain. Instead of confronting these challenges, many in the industry prefer to downplay their struggles,” he stated.
Safo criticized the pervasive mindset of victimhood that blames external factors such as streaming platforms or lack of support for the industry’s issues. He argued that this mentality only serves to justify poor decision-making. “Under the guise of being a victim, harmful choices are validated. Free concerts are labeled as promotion, and free songs are considered strategic moves. Meanwhile, empty profits are celebrated, and visibility increasingly replaces actual value,” he noted.
The filmmaker also pointed out that artists are spending money on studio time, production, and engineering, only to release their music for free. “Streams don’t pay the bills, nor do they build a sustainable future for artists,” he said. He emphasized that audiences are being conditioned to expect free content, which undermines the very foundation of a healthy creative economy. As audiences learn to wait for free entry to events, the practice of paying for tickets is becoming less common.
Safo also cautioned that investors and sponsors are closely monitoring the situation and will withdraw their support if they see no returns. He warned that when that moment comes, the industry will be left vulnerable. “Sponsors look for cost-effective ways to gain visibility. If they figure out they can invest elsewhere, they won’t hesitate to do so,” he said. This could lead to a bleak future for the industry, which would leave it struggling to survive.
To counteract these trends, Safo advocates for a more sustainable approach to the creative industry. He suggests organizing shows in venues that attract paying audiences, even if they are small. “It’s about building slowly and respecting the value of the craft. Let people pay for what they appreciate, no matter how few they are,” he concluded. Safo’s call for a return to valuing artistic work and learning from past mistakes stands as a crucial reminder for Ghana’s creative community.