YouTube is set to significantly raise the requirements creators must meet to earn money through its YouTube Partner Program (YPP), with the new rules taking effect on February 1, 2027.

Under the revised requirements, creators seeking to monetise their channels through advertising and subscriptions will need at least 1,000 subscribers and must achieve either 8,000 eligible public watch hours within the previous 12 months or 20 million eligible Shorts views within 90 days.

The new threshold represents a major increase from the current YPP requirements. At present, creators with 1,000 subscribers can qualify by recording 4,000 watch hours over the previous 12 months or generating 10 million Shorts views within 90 days.

YouTube will also require creators participating in the Shorts monetisation system to maintain at least 10 million Shorts views within 90 days to continue earning from the Shorts Creator Pool. However, creators who fall below that figure will not automatically be removed from the YouTube Partner Program.

Alongside the higher entry requirements, YouTube is expanding access to its lower-cost Premium Lite subscription. The service is expected to become available in every country where YouTube Premium is offered.

YouTube distributes part of its subscription revenue to creators according to factors such as watch time and views. The company currently allocates 55 per cent of the relevant revenue to long-form content and 45 per cent to Shorts.

According to YouTube, creators could potentially earn more as Premium membership expands because subscribers may generate greater revenue for partners than viewers who are served advertisements.

The changes come as YouTube continues to position itself as more than a traditional online video platform. The company is increasingly competing for viewers’ attention with major streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+, while seeking to strengthen its subscription-based business.

YouTube is also introducing additional activity requirements for creators who want to remain eligible to earn through advertising and subscriptions.

Under the new rules, creators will need to maintain at least one of the following levels of activity: 1,000 watch hours during the previous 12 months, one million Shorts views, or regular uploads consisting of at least two long-form videos or five Shorts every 90 days.

The platform already has a policy allowing it to remove channels from the YPP when creators have not uploaded a video or made a post on the Community Posts tab for six months or longer.

Creators who are already members of the YouTube Partner Program will also have to accept the updated terms by January 31, 2027, if they want to continue earning money from their content under the programme.

The new rules mean creators, particularly those relying on long-form videos or Shorts for income, will have to significantly increase their audience engagement and content activity to remain eligible for YouTube monetisation from February 2027.

Source: The Verge

The Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP) has challenged the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, to provide clearer evidence of progress on key manifesto promises made to Ghana’s creative arts, culture and tourism sector.

The group’s concerns follow the minister’s participation in the government’s accountability series at the Jubilee House, where she outlined the achievements and progress recorded by her ministry since the Mahama administration took office.

FOCAP welcomed the minister’s decision to account for her stewardship but said the engagement was long overdue, particularly given the expectations placed on the creative arts and tourism sector.

According to the organisation, it conducted its own assessment of the sector exactly one year into the Mahama administration and scored the government 0 per cent on the implementation of its manifesto commitments in the sector.

FOCAP, led by its President, Kojo Preko Dankwa, said it was therefore disappointed that the minister’s presentation focused largely on activities and programmes it believes do not adequately demonstrate the fulfilment of the government’s key promises.

Black Star Experience

A major concern raised by FOCAP was the implementation of the Black Star Experience, which it described as one of the core promises of the government’s manifesto.

The organisation noted that the Black Star Experience was launched at the Black Star Square as part of President John Mahama’s 100-day achievements.

However, FOCAP argued that beyond the launch, there had been little visible effort to implement the programme as a year-round national initiative fully.

The group said it was particularly concerned that the minister did not acknowledge the office responsible for coordinating the Black Star Experience, which it said operates under the Office of the President.

FOCAP argued that the initiative continues to struggle for the necessary support and recognition nearly one and a half years after its launch.

The organisation said the flagship programme, which was expected to provide a year-round platform for Ghanaian film, music, fashion, heritage and cultural celebrations, remains largely invisible.

FOCAP further alleged that when a question was posed to the minister concerning the Black Star Experience during the accountability engagement, her response demonstrated what the organisation considers a lack of sufficient attention to the programme.

Dispute Over National Film Authority’s 1% GDP Target

FOCAP also questioned claims surrounding the National Film Authority (NFA) and its medium-term objective of increasing the film industry’s contribution to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product from 0.2 per cent to at least one per cent.

According to FOCAP, the target should not be presented as an achievement because it remains an ambition that has yet to be realised.

The organisation said its research indicates that the NFA’s document, titled Reviving Ghana’s Film Industry: A Vision for Growth, speaks about engaging one per cent of Ghana’s population in local cinema culture within two years through improved film distribution and exhibition.

FOCAP therefore questioned the basis for presenting the 1 per cent GDP contribution target as evidence of progress.

It also argued that the contribution of the broader creative arts sector to Ghana’s GDP remains insufficiently demonstrated.

The group further criticised the presentation of the National Film Dialogue as an achievement, describing it as a normal sector activity rather than a major fulfilment of the government’s manifesto promises.

GH¢40 Million Creative Arts Fund

FOCAP welcomed the government’s commitment to provide GH¢40 million as seed funding for the Creative Arts Fund, which was captured in the 2026 budget.

However, it said the fund cannot be effectively operationalised until the necessary legislative instrument is passed by Parliament.

The organisation consequently questioned why the National Film Authority had already begun inviting enterprises to access a GH¢5 million seed fund while the Creative Arts Agency was not doing the same.

FOCAP described the situation as raising questions about compliance with the legal framework governing the fund.

The group called for clarity on the process and urged the government to ensure that the promised funding mechanism is properly established before disbursement.

Digital Creators and Copyright Protection

FOCAP also identified what it described as “low-hanging fruit” in the government’s manifesto that could be implemented without necessarily requiring huge financial resources.

Among these is structured support for young digital content creators.

According to FOCAP, the manifesto promised measures to help young creators develop commercially viable content and build sustainable careers online.

The organisation said that despite Ghanaian digital creators building audiences and businesses independently, there was still no clear government platform, programme or dedicated funding line addressing the commitment.

Copyright enforcement was another area highlighted by FOCAP.

The group said stronger copyright enforcement had repeatedly been promised as a means of protecting artists and other creators whose works are pirated and monetised without authorisation.

FOCAP argued that there were still no visible improvements in enforcement mechanisms that industry players could readily identify.

Normal Ministry Work Is Not Manifesto Achievement

FOCAP stressed that routine administrative and procedural activities of the ministry should not automatically be classified as achievements.

The organisation said the government’s responsibility was to implement the specific commitments it made to the creative arts sector during the election campaign.

It argued that many of the commitments highlighted by the minister remain at the pipeline stage rather than having been translated into tangible programmes and outcomes.

FOCAP therefore called for a more direct assessment of the government’s manifesto promises and urged the minister to provide specific timelines, measurable outcomes and evidence of implementation.

The organisation said the Black Star Experience, in particular, should have received greater attention because of its central role in the government’s vision for the creative arts, culture and tourism sector.

FOCAP’s statement was signed by Kojo Preko Dankwa, President; Enoch Agyepong, Vice President, Research; and Mel Kwasi Davis, Vice President.

Pan-Africanist musician and Founder of PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG), Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, has called on African Heads of State, traditional rulers and policymakers to establish a formal framework for the voluntary repatriation and resettlement of Africans in the Diaspora who wish to return to the continent.

In an open letter titled The Slave Route Project and Africans in the Diaspora: Back to Africa Agenda (BATAA), Ras Caleb appealed to African leaders to recognise the historical connection between the continent and Africans living in the Caribbean, the Americas, England and Europe.

He said many Africans in the Diaspora have, for centuries, sought to return to Africa and contribute their skills and resources to the continent’s development.

Ras Caleb, who is also the Founding President, Project Initiator and Coordinator of PanAfrica-Ghana and Prodigy International Productions Association (PIPA), said the issue of repatriation had previously been brought before the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), but called for a clear continental position on the matter.

His advocacy for Pan-African cooperation is consistent with his previous work through PanAfrica-Ghana, including participation in continental initiatives and engagements aimed at strengthening African unity and cultural cooperation.

 Call for repatriation status

At the centre of the open letter is a demand for African governments to introduce a repatriation status for Africans in the Western Hemisphere who voluntarily choose to return to Africa.

Ras Caleb proposed that returnees should be granted permanent residency leading to citizenship within three to five years, while also proposing citizenship upon arrival for appropriate categories.

He argued that Africans from the Diaspora who return to the continent should not simply be treated as visitors whose visas expire after a limited period.

According to him, the historical circumstances surrounding the displacement of Africans through slavery make the return of those who wish to settle in Africa different from ordinary immigration.

He therefore urged African governments to develop immigration policies that recognise the unique relationship between Africa and its Diaspora.

 Land for resettlement

Ras Caleb also called for African governments to make land available for the resettlement of returning Africans.

He proposed that land be allocated around agricultural areas and supported with basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity.

He said the initiative could provide opportunities for Africans in the Diaspora to invest their knowledge, skills and resources in Africa while helping to strengthen food production and economic self-sufficiency.

According to him, resettlement could take place on both individual and cooperative bases.

He said returning Africans could participate in farming, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology and other productive sectors.

Diaspora skills for Africa’s development

The Pan-Africanist said the African Diaspora possesses a wide range of professional expertise that could contribute significantly to the continent’s development.

He listed doctors, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, technicians, teachers, fishermen, farmers, scientists, musicians, actors and other professionals among those who could contribute to Africa’s economic transformation.

He argued that a structured repatriation programme could help Africa benefit from the knowledge, skills and experience of people who have lived and worked outside the continent.

Ras Caleb also proposed the establishment of cooperative structures through which returnees could jointly invest in agriculture and other economic activities.

He referred to the late Professor Joshua Naphtali Mkhululi, formerly Ken Edwards, whom he described as an African born in Jamaica who self-repatriated and settled in Tanzania in 1976.

Ras Caleb said Professor Mkhululi played a role in the creation of the Faculty of Management at the University of Dar-es-Salaam and later worked as a management consultant for Ghana’s State Enterprises Commission between 1991 and 1995.

He further stated that Professor Mkhululi attended an OAU Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991, where he obtained documents relating to reparations.

Ras Caleb cited a proposal contained in those documents which called for Africans in the New World to be allowed to enjoy dual citizenship of an African country they chose as their home.

 Immigration and visa concerns

Another major concern raised in the letter is the immigration status of Africans returning to the continent.

Ras Caleb argued that requiring Diaspora returnees to enter Africa only on temporary visitor visas fails to reflect their intention to permanently reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

He questioned what happens when such visas expire, and a person is required to leave Africa.

He said some returnees could also face difficulties if they are unable to secure employment within a short period after arrival.

According to him, such circumstances could result in people being classified as prohibited immigrants despite their intention to settle and contribute to Africa.

He therefore called for immigration systems that would provide returning Africans with permanent residency or citizenship.

The letter also addresses the long-standing issue of reparations for Africa and people of African descent.

Ras Caleb argued that Africans and people of African descent suffered extensive human and economic losses as a result of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism.

He said Africans were subjected to killing, torture, exploitation, brutalisation and dehumanisation during the slave trade, while colonialism subsequently subjected African societies to further suppression and economic exploitation.

He argued that these historical experiences contributed to some of the challenges facing the continent today.

However, he said Africans must not focus only on seeking compensation from Western countries.

Instead, he called for Africans to organise themselves and take practical measures to rebuild the continent.

He linked this approach to his proposed Healing Africa Tour (HAT) initiative, which he said is aimed at encouraging practical action towards the development and healing of African societies.

Four key demands

In the letter, Ras Caleb outlined four specific requests to African governments and traditional authorities.

Repatriation status:

He called for Africans in the Western Hemisphere who choose to return to Africa to be granted repatriation status, with permanent residency leading to citizenship within three to five years or citizenship upon arrival for appropriate categories.

Land and infrastructure:

He urged governments to pledge suitable land for resettlement, particularly around agricultural areas, and assist with infrastructure development, including roads, water and electricity.

Duty-free access:

He called for returning Africans to be granted duty-free access for their material possessions when relocating permanently to the continent.

Concessionary building materials:

He also requested concessionary prices on building materials to help returnees establish homes, businesses and communities.

Ras Caleb also said one of the biggest challenges facing the African unity agenda is the historical divide between Africans on the continent and Africans in the Diaspora.

He argued that centuries of slavery, colonialism and displacement created misconceptions on both sides.

According to him, some Africans in the Diaspora developed negative perceptions about Africans on the continent, while some Africans at home viewed Diaspora Africans as outsiders.

He said these divisions must be overcome if Africa is to achieve genuine unity.

He also highlighted the contribution of Pan-African and Rastafari communities to the campaign for reconnecting Africans in the Diaspora with the continent.

He said many members of the Diaspora have faced discrimination and other challenges because of their commitment to African causes.

Agriculture and food security:

The letter places considerable emphasis on agriculture.

Ras Caleb argued that Africa should strengthen its ability to produce enough food for its population rather than relying heavily on food imports.

He believes returning Africans could help develop agricultural land through individual investments and cooperative farming projects.

He said such initiatives could contribute to employment, food security and rural development while allowing returnees to build sustainable livelihoods.

 Historical OAU involvement

Ras Caleb also referred to an OAU Council of Ministers meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 19 to 24, 1990.

He said Professor Mkhululi participated in the proceedings in connection with his work as a temporary United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) management consultant assigned to improve the administrative and management capacity of the OAU.

Ras Caleb said discussions at the time included calls for African institutions to be concerned about the freedom and welfare of Africans around the world.

He argued that such historical discussions should inform current efforts to strengthen relations between Africa and the Diaspora.

 Government responsibility

Ras Caleb acknowledged that large-scale resettlement would require significant financial resources and cooperation from governments.

He cited historical examples of governments supporting the relocation and resettlement of populations and argued that African governments could similarly develop structured programmes for members of the African Diaspora who voluntarily wish to return.

He said the responsibility should not be left entirely to individuals but should involve governments, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and development partners.

A call for African unity

The Pan-Africanist concluded by urging African leaders to consider his proposals as part of a broader agenda for African unity, development and self-sufficiency.

He said the return of Africans in the Diaspora should be viewed not only as a historical issue but also as an opportunity to mobilise human capital, investment, skills and expertise for the development of the continent.

He called for an organised system that would make it easier for Africans in the Diaspora to return, acquire land, establish businesses, participate in agriculture and contribute to their communities.

Ras Caleb said a positive response from African leaders would be historically significant and could strengthen the relationship between Africans on the continent and those living abroad.

He signed the letter as Musician and Pan-Africanist, Founding President, Project Initiator and Coordinator of PanAfrica-Ghana (PAG) and Prodigy International Productions Association (PIPA).

Ras Caleb has previously represented PanAfrica-Ghana in international Pan-African activities, including the 2024 Africa Youth Congress in Kampala, Uganda, where the organisation was involved in discussions on Africanism, culture and development.

He ended the letter with a call for greater solidarity among Africans across the world.

Long Live Africa, Long Live Africans, Long Live World Solidarity.”

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has encouraged his followers to complement their prayers with action if they want to achieve their goals.

In a motivational message, the rapper cautioned against remaining passive while expecting prayers alone to bring about desired results.

“You can’t sit in one place, do nothing, and expect everything you’ve been praying for to magically happen,” he said.

Sarkodie urged his followers to take practical steps towards the things they are praying for, stressing the importance of making a move after seeking divine guidance.

“Say a prayer and make a move. Take that step,” he added.

He further used faith and opportunity to explain his message, noting that believing in a possibility is only the beginning and that individuals must be willing to act when opportunities arise.

“Faith opens the door, but you still have to walk through it,” Sarkodie said.

The rapper concluded his message by wishing his followers well, saying, “May your day be blessed.”

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Nearly 30 years after the shocking murder of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur, the long-awaited trial of a man accused of orchestrating his killing has finally begun in Las Vegas.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a former leader of the South Side Compton Crips, appeared in court on Monday as jury selection began in a case that has kept Tupac’s family, fans and investigators searching for answers for decades.

Prosecutors allege that Davis ordered the 1996 killing and supplied the gun used in the drive-by shooting that claimed the rapper’s life.

If convicted, the 63-year-old faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

According to CNN, the trial is expected to last about a month. However, prosecutors could face a major challenge in proving who actually fired the shots that killed Tupac on September 7, 1996.

Tupac, whose real name was Tupac Amaru Shakur, was only 25 years old when he was fatally shot in Las Vegas.

Tupac had travelled to Las Vegas to watch heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand.

After the boxing match, tensions escalated between members of Tupac’s entourage and rival gang members.

Prosecutors allege that Tupac and Death Row Records boss Marion “Suge” Knight attacked Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, who was Davis’ nephew and a member of the South Side Compton Crips.

Investigators believe the confrontation became the motive for the subsequent attack on Tupac.

Later that night, a white Cadillac carrying Davis, Anderson and other individuals reportedly pulled alongside the BMW in which Tupac and Knight were travelling.

Gunshots were fired from the Cadillac, leaving Tupac critically wounded.

He was rushed to hospital, where he remained for six days before dying from his injuries on September 13, 1996.

For years, Tupac’s killing remained one of the most famous unsolved murders in the United States.

The lack of an arrest fuelled countless theories about who was responsible for the shooting, why Tupac was targeted and whether the killing was connected to the bitter rivalry that existed within the hip-hop industry at the time.

The case remained cold for decades until renewed attention was drawn to Davis’ own statements about the night of the shooting.

In 2019, Davis published a memoir in which he discussed his involvement in the events surrounding Tupac’s death.

In the memoir, Davis admitted that he was sitting in the front passenger seat of the white Cadillac on the night of the shooting.

He also said he obtained and handed a gun to people seated in the back of the vehicle.

However, Davis did not identify the person who allegedly fired the fatal shots at Tupac.

His account, together with earlier statements he had made publicly and to the media, eventually attracted renewed attention from investigators.

Davis was arrested in September 2023 and subsequently charged in connection with Tupac’s murder.

He has pleaded not guilty and continues to maintain that he is innocent.

Davis has repeatedly denied being the person who killed Tupac.

In a 2025 interview with ABC News, he rejected the allegation that he was responsible for the rapper’s death and claimed that authorities did not have evidence proving that he was in Las Vegas on the night of the shooting.

He has also sought to distance himself from portions of his memoir.

Davis has claimed that his co-author exaggerated some aspects of his account in an effort to make the book more appealing and increase sales.

Despite his denials, prosecutors argue that his own statements provide important evidence linking him to the events surrounding the murder.

A central issue at trial is expected to be what Davis knew, what role he played in the alleged revenge attack and whether prosecutors can establish beyond a reasonable doubt that he orchestrated the killing.

Another major question is whether prosecutors will be able to determine who actually pulled the trigger.

Tupac’s murder occurred during one of the most turbulent periods in American hip-hop.

At the time, the music industry was dominated by a highly publicised East Coast-West Coast rivalry.

Tupac was one of the biggest artists associated with Death Row Records, which was headed by Suge Knight.

On the opposite side was Bad Boy Records, founded by Sean “Diddy” Combs and associated with Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie.

The rivalry between the two camps became increasingly intense during the 1990s, with Tupac and Biggie often portrayed as the leading figures of the opposing hip-hop scenes.

Tupac’s murder further intensified speculation that the conflict between the two camps may have played a role in the violence surrounding the rappers.

Just six months after Tupac’s death, The Notorious B.I.G. was also murdered in Los Angeles in March 1997.

Biggie’s killing, like Tupac’s, remained unresolved for many years and further cemented the two deaths as among the most infamous tragedies in hip-hop history.

Despite dying at just 25, Tupac became one of the most influential figures in hip-hop.

His music addressed issues including poverty, racism, violence, inequality, relationships and life in disadvantaged communities.

Songs such as “California Love” and his critically acclaimed album All Eyez on Me helped establish his position as one of the defining voices of 1990s rap.

His influence has continued long after his death, with his music, image and life story remaining deeply embedded in popular culture.

His murder, however, has remained a major part of his legacy, with fans around the world continuing to seek answers about what happened on that September night in Las Vegas.

Tupac’s family has also continued to seek accountability nearly three decades after his death.

In May, his stepbrother, Maurice Shakur, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit, arguing that individuals allegedly involved in Tupac’s murder had gone nearly three decades without being held accountable.

The lawsuit represents another effort by the family to pursue answers and accountability surrounding the rapper’s death.

The beginning of Davis’ trial therefore marks a significant development in a case that has remained in the public spotlight for almost 30 years.

The proceedings are expected to attract international attention from Tupac’s family, hip-hop fans and observers who have followed the case since 1996.

However, despite the prosecution’s allegations, significant questions remain.

Among the biggest is whether the trial will finally establish who fired the shots that killed Tupac Shakur and whether the evidence presented in court will be sufficient to secure a conviction against Davis.

After decades of speculation, the trial could provide the most significant opportunity yet to establish what happened during the final hours of one of hip-hop’s most influential stars.

Source: Graphic Online