Ms Gyankroma Akufo-Addo, Director of the Creative Arts Agency, has called on Ghanaians, especially radio and television presenters, to promote the Play Ghana initiative by prioritising local music.
The Play Ghana initiative seeks to ensure that songs by Ghanaian artists are played frequently on air, nightclubs and churches to increase the visibility of locally produced music.
Ms Akufo-Addo, who made the statement during a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, noted that Nigeria has established a 70 per cent local content law in music, cinema and broadcasting and that Ghana should follow suit.
She stated, “Today marks the day that we pledge to push Ghanaian music to the forefront of our audiences, starting from home. The Creative Arts Agency will collaborate with stakeholders and players in the music, film and broadcasting industries to review our local content regulations. Both the cultural policy and the broadcasting bill must be amended and enforced.”
“The Christmas season is upon us, a time where our creative community shines, travellers visiting our golden shores sampling all the best that Ghana has to produce, our diasporan brothers and sisters return home with braided hair, kente outfits, hand-carved wooden masks, Adinkra symbol jewelry, oil paintings of market scenes and Ghana sunsets but Ghana music is left behind.”
According to Ms Akufo-Addo, throughout this month’s festivities for ‘Detty Dember’, a name carved for the December festivities, Ghanaian artistes must be prioritised in nightclubs and on the airways, adding: “Let that tourist sample not only the best jollof in the world but also the best artiste.”
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, stressed the importance of collaboration among artists and music producers.
He said without unity, Ghana risked succumbing to the constant influx of foreign music.
Music Producer/Cultural Activist, Smallgod-Nana Appiasei, expressed concern over the decline of Ghanaian music and pointed out that if the campaign is taken seriously, it would not only bolster the festive atmosphere with local sounds but also pave the way for a more robust and sustainable future for Ghanaian music on the global stage.
The campaign, dubbed #PlayGhana, is aimed to garner support for local music and legislation favouring the broadcasting of local content.
High-profile dignitaries and prominent Ghanaian artists, including Reggie Rockstone, Samini, Black Sheriff and D-Black, were also present to lend their voices to the cause.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
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