Ghanaian musician Pope Skinny recently voiced his concerns about the struggles facing artists in the country’s music industry, pointing to a lack of governmental support as a key issue driving many musicians to seek better opportunities abroad. Speaking in an interview on Accra 100.5 FM on Wednesday, October 9, the Hiplife star expressed frustration with the absence of sustainable structures for creatives in Ghana.
Pope Skinny, who revealed that he now works as a truck driver in the U.S., highlighted the drastic steps some musicians take to survive when the industry fails them. “I drive a big truck in America,” he shared. “I couldn’t do that in Ghana because people would mock me.” He lamented that the government’s neglect forces musicians to take up jobs that may be considered beneath them just to make ends meet. “At least over there, no one cares what you do,” he added.
The “Hot Cake” hitmaker criticized the lack of long-term frameworks to support creatives in Ghana, making it difficult for them to secure their future. “There’s nothing in this country that guarantees a good future for musicians,” he said, referring to how many artists end up in financial hardship, especially in their later years. He added, “It’s not because they’re irresponsible. There’s no system in place to support us, even with basic things like SNNIT contributions.”
Pope Skinny explained that the reality of Ghana’s music industry often forces artists to spend most of their savings on music production and promotion, leaving little to secure their futures. “If you don’t have a hit song, you’ll go hungry. Even when you manage to save, you’ll end up spending it on music videos and other expenses. And endorsement deals? Not everyone gets those, and they’re not consistent either,” he explained.
He also criticized the Food & Drugs Authority’s (FDA) ban on celebrity endorsements of alcohol brands, which was recently upheld by the Supreme Court. “It doesn’t make sense to me,” he said, reflecting on how lucrative these deals were before the 2015 ban. Pope Skinny noted that those endorsement deals kept the entertainment industry financially viable and helped many musicians stay afloat.
Ultimately, Pope Skinny’s comments underline the challenges faced by Ghanaian musicians and the pressing need for reforms in the country’s creative arts sector.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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