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
Sad News: Media Personality Londona Niee Involved in Fatal Accident
The Ghanaian media and entertainment industry has been thrown into a state of shock following reports of a fatal accident involving popular media personality, Londona Niee, a renowned drive-time and entertainment show host with TOP MEDIA GROUP operators of TOP F.M and TOP TV.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the tragic incident occurred yesterday at approximately 7:15 PM along the busy Kwabenya Road stretch heading toward Ashongman estate in Accra. The accident reportedly caused severe traffic congestion as residents, commercial drivers, and motorists gathered at the scene following the unfortunate development.

Sources close to the area disclosed that emergency response personnel arrived at the scene shortly after the accident was reported, while officers from the Ghana Police Service moved in to control traffic and begin preliminary investigations into the cause of the crash. However, official details surrounding the exact circumstances that led to the accident are yet to be released by authorities.
Londona Niee has, over the years, built a strong reputation within Ghana’s entertainment landscape through his energetic presentation style, impactful entertainment discussions, and consistent support for emerging talents in the creative industry. His work with TOP MEDIA GROUP has earned him admiration from listeners and followers across the country, making him one of the recognisable voices within the urban entertainment media space.

Known for his charisma and deep connection with audiences, Londona Niee has contributed significantly to entertainment journalism and radio programming, often using his platform to promote Ghanaian music, artists, and entertainment culture.
Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing as authorities work to establish the full details surrounding the incident. Family members, colleagues, and close associates have yet to officially address the situation publicly.

The unfortunate incident once again raises concerns about road safety on some of Accra’s busiest highways, particularly during evening rush hours, where heavy traffic and reckless driving continue to pose serious risks to motorists and pedestrians.
More updates will be provided as the story develops.
Entertainment
The New Generation of Producers haven’t seen the Real Movie Business – Socrate Safo Reveals
Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker and creative arts advocate Socrate Safo has shared a sobering perspective on the current state of Ghana’s movie industry, claiming that many modern-day producers have never experienced the level of financial success that once existed within the sector.
Speaking during an interview with Roman Fada on Entertainment Lounge, Socrate Safo reflected on the industry’s golden era, describing a time when movie production was highly profitable, and producers could confidently invest in projects with expectations of strong returns.
According to him, the structure of the industry has changed dramatically over the years, making it increasingly difficult for filmmakers to generate substantial revenue from their productions.
“The current crop of movie producers haven’t seen money in the industry,” he stated, emphasising that many younger producers entered the business at a time when the commercial systems that once supported filmmaking had already weakened.
Socrate Safo explained that in earlier years, producers benefited from strong movie distribution channels, high audience demand, and booming physical sales. He noted that the industry once created significant economic opportunities for actors, directors, marketers, and production teams alike.
However, he believes piracy, poor distribution systems, inadequate investment, and changing viewing habits have gradually affected profitability within the sector. According to him, many producers today struggle to recover production costs, making sustainable filmmaking increasingly challenging.
The veteran filmmaker also highlighted the impact of digital transformation on the industry, arguing that while online platforms and streaming services have changed content consumption globally, many Ghanaian filmmakers are still trying to adapt to the evolving landscape.
His comments on Entertainment Lounge have reignited conversations about the need for stronger support systems for Ghana’s film industry. Stakeholders continue to call for improved infrastructure, investment opportunities, effective copyright enforcement, and policies that promote local film consumption.
Despite his criticism of the current state of the industry, Socrate Safo remains hopeful that Ghanaian cinema can regain its strength if deliberate efforts are made to rebuild the business side of filmmaking.
For many observers, his remarks serve as both a reflection on the industry’s past success and a warning about the urgent need to create a sustainable future for the next generation of movie producers.
Entertainment
No Distribution, No Profit: Socrate Safo Explains Challenges Facing Ghanaian Filmmakers
Veteran filmmaker and creative arts advocate Socrate Safo has painted a worrying picture of Ghana’s film industry, insisting that the sector currently lacks a functioning market to sustain movie production and generate meaningful financial returns for filmmakers.
Speaking candidly on Entertainment Lounge hosted by Roman Fada, Socrate Safo argued that although Ghana is blessed with creative talent and compelling storytellers, the business side of the industry has weakened significantly over the years.
According to him, filmmakers today are operating under difficult conditions where investment recovery has become increasingly uncertain. He pointed to poor distribution structures, piracy, limited cinema penetration, and declining consumer purchasing habits as some of the major factors affecting the industry.
“There’s no market for the movie industry in Ghana currently,” he stressed, noting that many producers now struggle to monetise their projects effectively.
Socrate Safo explained that there was a time when movie production in Ghana was commercially rewarding, with producers making substantial profits through physical sales, television syndication, and strong audience demand. However, he believes the industry has failed to adapt strategically to changing trends in global entertainment consumption.
He also touched on the impact of digital transformation, stating that while streaming platforms and online distribution channels have created new possibilities, many local filmmakers lack the infrastructure and support needed to fully capitalise on those opportunities.
The veteran filmmaker’s comments reflect broader concerns within Ghana’s creative sector, where calls for industry reform have intensified in recent years. Several stakeholders continue to advocate for stronger institutional support, better film policies, improved cinema infrastructure, and increased investment in local productions.
Despite the challenges, Socrate Safo believes the industry can still recover if deliberate efforts are made to rebuild confidence and create sustainable systems that support filmmakers financially and creatively.
His remarks have since sparked debate among creatives and entertainment enthusiasts, with many agreeing that Ghana’s movie industry needs urgent restructuring to compete effectively in today’s evolving media landscape.
For many observers, the issue is no longer about talent because Ghana undeniably has that. The bigger question remains whether the industry can create a viable market capable of turning creativity into a sustainable business.
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