Yes! There are many things that are not going on well in Ghana’s creative art or showbiz industry and I have criticized them – spanning: actors, musicians, event organizers, broadcasters, authors, models, etc.
However, I don’t also fail to bring out the good side of the industry. Today, I bring you one of such positive ones. As an African art writer who believes in giving priority to my continent in my write ups, I took time out to research on Senegal’s showbiz industry and how it’s faring.
One revelation that caught my interest and attention was that, Senegalese musician, activist and entrepreneur, Didier Awadi lauded Ghana’s music industry for its good structures and also advised that Highlife music be protected.
“You have nice music genre which is High Life,” said Awadi. “Don’t let it die. Promote it. That is the key of success. That’s my advice! Keep it! Protect it! Make it shine every day! You have to be inspired by your own culture,” he advised.
Awadi further revealed that the model of the Ghanaian music industry inspired the Senegalese music industry. A typical example was the fashioning and promulgation of the copyright law. “We have been really inspired by the Ghanaian model and experience of the music industry. When we talk about copyright laws, Senegal took a lesson from the example of Ghana and that’s how we have our new law and society for copyright today. I think the business is organized here”
Didier Awadi is the most visible figure of Francophone West African Hiphop. His contribution to structuring the musical sector in Senegal is perceptible through his label, recording studio (Studio Sankara) and Event Company.
Awadi offers a conscious and revolutionary music strengthened by articulated and rooted messages. His motivation and inspiration stems from the Burkinabé revolutionary, Thomas Sankara’s phrase: “Let’s dare invent our future!”
For Didier Awadi to have said that of Ghana’s music industry and copyright laws is a big deal! Indeed, Awadi is the only musician from Northwest Africa that Ghanaian musician, Okyeame Kwame, featured on his upcoming ‘African Connection’ album.
As a matter of fact, Ghana is one of the few countries in Africa that has a well drafted Copyright Act 690 (2005), Copyright Regulation, 2010 (LI.1962) and an independent CMO – Collection Management Organization. The rest of the African countries are all either in their preparation stages, or still trying to tighten their copyright laws and IPs- Intellectual Property issues. Kudos to Ghana on this! Until then…MOTWUM!!