Some popular but young musicians in Ghana are alleged to have been hiding behind the music industry as musicians, but in actuality, what they do to get money is internet/cyber fraud, popularly known as “Sakawa” in Ghana.

Half Nigerian but Ghanaian born hiplife musician, Rashid Joseph, known in Ghana and abroad as Nhyiraba Kojo, is one of such popular musicians alleged to engage in “Sakawa.” Anytime musicians who are alleged to be in “Sakawa” in Ghana are mentioned, his name stands tall or readily comes in mind.

In a conversation with Ghanaian female presenter, Soko Hemaa, known for posing weird questions at her guests on the entertainment programme, Anigye Krom, she asked Nhyiraba Kojo, “are you a “Sakawa” boy or are you into “Sakawa?”

“I know why you are asking me this question. It’s a rumour out there that I do “Sakawa.” In fact, some even say I do blood money (laughs slap happily)! Soko Hema, I toiled to make my money. Fact is, in our part of the world, when you are struggling to make it in life, everyone sees you.

Yet, as soon as you get rich overnight or gets rich at a tender age, then the same people who saw you struggling begin speculating and spreading false tales about you. I am not into Sakawa or any blood money” Nhyiraba Kojo cleared his name.

Nhyiraba narrated an emotion laden story of how he and his other two friends came (from Takoradi) to Accra without knowing anybody. “I slept under the Karneshie overhead for many years. I begged for food! I did all sorts of menial jobs for survival!

“Today God has raised his countenance upon me and people say I’m into “Sakawa.” God will judge all of us.” Nhyiraba Kojo can today boast of his own restaurant – one in Accra and the other in Takoradi; a clothing line, and fleets of commercial cars that ply from Accra to Takoradi and back, every blessed day.

List of  hiplife musicians in Ghana alleged to be in internet fraud or “Sakawa,” shockingly, are; R2Bees, Stay J, Samini, 4X4, VIP, Pope Skinny, Shatta Wale, and others. Aside those musicians, some event organizers or companies are also alleged to also engage in “Sakawa.”

Whether these “Sakawa allegations in Ghana’s showbiz are just mythos, grapevines or reality, all we can say for now is, the day the toad dies, we shall all know its full length. Until then…MOTWUM!!