Entertainment
When Visibility Replaces Value, The Cost to Ghana’s Creative Industry
“I TRIED TO MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND”: A Song, a Warning, and the Future of Ghana’s Creative Industry
By Socrate Safo
There is a line in Culture’s song that refuses to let me rest:
“The more victimisation is on their back, the more foolish they become.”
It is a hard line. Uncomfortable. But painfully accurate for where Ghana’s creative industry is heading today.
For a long time now, some of us have tried, and tried, and tried to call attention to a dangerous pattern forming across the industry. We are not speaking from a place of bitterness or fear of change. We are speaking from memory. We watched the film industry walk this same road. We know where it ends.
Yet, as the song says, they just can’t understand.
Repeating a Familiar Tragedy
The film industry once beat its drums by night and by day. The movies were everywhere. The audience was loud. But the money was thin. Free access became normal. Piracy became tolerated. Value disappeared. Eventually, the noise faded, the investors vanished, and the industry collapsed quietly.
Today, music and other creative sectors are repeating that mistake, only this time, on a far larger and more dangerous scale.
Artists now spend huge sums to organise stadium shows, throw the gates open for free, and fill the stands. Drone shots fly. Photos circulate. Social media cheers. The artist boasts.
But after the applause fades, the truth appears: losses, debts, regret.
Still, instead of asking hard questions, many satisfy themselves with less.
Victimhood as a Disguise for Foolishness.
Whenever this issue is raised, the response is often framed as victimhood. “The industry is hard.” “Streaming platforms are cheating us.” “Sponsors don’t pay enough.” “People don’t support creatives.”
All of that may be true. But as Culture warned, the more victimisation is upon their back, the more foolish they become.
Under the cover of victimhood, destructive decisions are justified. Free concerts become “promotion.” Free songs become “strategy.” Empty profits are celebrated as success. Numbers replace income. Visibility replaces value.
Artists now pay studios, producers, and engineers to create music, only to release it for free. All that matters is how many streams they get. That is what they brag about. But streams do not pay studio bills. Streams do not build pensions. Streams do not sustain an industry on their own.
Meanwhile, the fee-paying audience, the very foundation of any creative economy. Is disappearing. Just like the people who used to buy films, those who once bought music are being trained out of the habit.
Teaching the Audience to Expect Nothing to Cost Anything
The same thing is happening with live events. Some shows are funded by artists themselves. Others rely on sponsors. Either way, the audience is learning one thing: wait long enough and the gate will be opened.
They come early. They wait outside. They know that eventually, someone will shout “free entry.” Over time, paying for tickets begins to feel foolish. Why pay when patience works?
Again, they satisfy the Lord for less.
Investors Will Learn Faster Than Artists
While creatives argue and boast, investors are watching. They put in money and see no returns. Sponsors fund concerts and realize there are cheaper ways to get visibility. When they finally get wise, they will not argue on social media. They will simply invest elsewhere.
And when that happens, the industry will not just be on its knees. It will be crawling, on its belly.
A Simpler, Harder, Wiser Path
There is another way, though it is less glamorous. Organise shows in venues that attract fee-paying audiences, even if they are small. Build slowly. Respect value. Let people pay, no matter how few they are.
This approach is often dismissed as “old school.” But old school is not the enemy. Forgetting lessons is.
Culture’s song keeps asking: “When will they ever learn?”
That question hangs heavily over Ghana’s creative industry today.
Some of us have beaten the drum by day and by night. We have tried to make them notice. We have tried to make them know. But still, they just can’t understand. And yet, the future is waiting.
Fix yourself up, the song says. Prepare. Aim for more, not less.
Because if we continue down this road, mistaking noise for progress and victimhood for wisdom, we will soon look back, just like we did with film, and realize that we were not cursed.
We were warned.
NB:I AM HUMAN, I AM GETTING TIRED OF THESE WARNINGS.
Entertainment
Haruna Rashid Yussif vrs Africa University of Communication and Business; SRC Presidential Aspirant Challenges Election Outcome
Tension is rising within the Africa University of Communication and Business (AUCB) following a dispute involving SRC presidential aspirant Haruna Rashid Yussif, who has raised concerns over the conduct and outcome of the recent Student Representative Council (SRC) elections.
Haruna Rasfid Yussif, a prominent contender in the race, is reportedly contesting aspects of the electoral process, questioning both transparency and fairness. His grievances are believed to stem from irregularities observed before and during the voting process, which he argues may have influenced the final results.
According to emerging reports, sections of his campaign team have also expressed dissatisfaction, calling for a thorough review of the election procedures. While full official details remain limited, discussions circulating within student circles suggest that the matter could escalate if not addressed by university authorities.
The SRC election, a key democratic exercise within the institution, is expected to reflect the voice and choice of the student body. However, controversies such as this risk undermining confidence in the process, particularly among candidates and their supporters.
Observers note that disputes of this nature are not uncommon in student politics, but the response from university management will be critical in determining how the situation unfolds. Calls for dialogue, transparency, and possible redress mechanisms are already gaining traction.
As of now, the leadership of the Africa University of Communication and Business has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement addressing the concerns raised by Haruna Rashid Yussif.
The coming days are expected to be decisive as stakeholders await clarity, accountability, and a resolution that preserves the integrity of student governance on campus.
The silence from authorities at the Africa University of Communication and Business is only adding to the pressure. Students across campus are beginning to ask tough questions about accountability, fairness, and whether the SRC election truly reflected the will of the people.
Student politics may often mirror national dynamics, but this situation is fast escalating beyond routine disagreement. If not addressed swiftly, it risks eroding trust in the very system meant to represent student voices.
For now, all eyes are on the university’s leadership. Will they step in to investigate and restore confidence, or allow the controversy to deepen?
One thing is clear: this isn’t just about an election anymore. It’s about credibility.
Entertainment
Nigeria mourns the death of Nollywood actor Solomon Akiyesi
Nigeria is mourns the death of Nollywood actor Solomon Akiyesi, whose passing was confirmed on Monday.
The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Abubakar Yakubu, disclosed that the actor died in his sleep on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Yakubu, Akiyesi “slept and did not wake up.” He added that the late actor’s body has been placed in a morgue in the capital as the guild awaits further information from his family. The exact cause of death has not yet been made public.
Akiyesi, who began acting in the late 1990s, appeared in more than 100 movies and became known for roles in Marry Who You Love, Deadly Affair, and Desperate Ladies. Tributes have continued to pour in on social media, with colleagues and fans celebrating his impact on Nigeria’s film industry.
Entertainment
Kweisey Pee must Explain why I was left off “Monto Song” – CityGod Aruu Speaks Out
Ghanaian versatile artist CityGod Aruu has publicly expressed disappointment over what he describes as his unexplained exclusion from the hit song “Monto,” a track widely associated with Kweisey Pee, in which he was featured.
In a recent interview on Despite Media’s NEAT F.M with Abena Moet, CityGod Aruu lamented that despite his alleged involvement in the creative process behind the song, his name was not featured or credited when the record gained mainstream attention. According to him, the situation has left his fans questioning the circumstances surrounding the release.
“Only Kweisey Pee can explain why my name was not included on ‘Monto,’” Aruu stated, hinting at unresolved issues behind the scenes. While he stopped short of making direct accusations, his remarks suggest a deeper concern about recognition and fairness within collaborative projects.
The song “Monto” has enjoyed notable success since its release, gaining traction across streaming platforms and within Ghana’s music circles. However, Aruu’s statement has now shifted part of the conversation toward transparency in crediting contributions, an issue that continues to surface in the creative industry.
Industry observers note that such disputes are not uncommon, especially among rising acts navigating collaborations without clearly defined agreements. Situations like this often highlight the importance of proper documentation, communication, and mutual understanding among artistes and their teams.
As of now, Kweisey Pee has not publicly responded to the claims. Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see whether clarification or resolution emerges in the coming days.
CityGod Aruu’s remarks add to the ongoing dialogue about artist recognition in Ghana’s evolving music landscape, where talent, collaboration, and credit must align to sustain trust and growth within the industry.
CityGod is currently out with two singles, “ Obaa Hemaa” and “Day Dreaming, Featuring Qwesi Ded Buddy.
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