Veteran Ghanaian music producer Fred Kyei Mensah has raised concerns about the growing hardships facing musicians in the country, describing the situation as deeply worrying for the industry.
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His comments come after public reactions to a GHS 500 donation made by the Musicians Union of Ghana to the family of the late gospel legend Yaw Sarpong during his one-week funeral observance. While some criticized the amount as inadequate, Fred Kyei Mensah urged the public not to blame the union, pointing instead to deeper structural problems.
According to him, MUSIGA is severely under-resourced largely because many Ghanaian musicians are not registered members, and even among those who are, consistent payment of dues remains a challenge.
He outlined several difficulties plaguing the industry. Many musicians are struggling financially, with limited performance opportunities and declining income streams. Traditional revenue sources such as CDs, cassettes, and pendrive sales have virtually disappeared, while streaming platforms offer minimal returns to local artists.
He also highlighted welfare concerns, noting that older musicians are suffering without support systems. The absence of a strong welfare structure, insurance schemes, and health policies continues to leave many artists vulnerable.
Fred Kyei Mensah further criticized systemic gaps within the industry, including weak copyright enforcement, ineffective collection systems, and the lack of proper monitoring of music airplay. He added that high taxes on musical equipment and performance venues make operations even more difficult, while the cost of instruments remains prohibitive.
Additionally, he lamented the lack of government support, stressing that the music industry receives little to no subvention despite its cultural and economic value.
Describing the situation as dire, the producer concluded that Ghanaian musicians are “barely surviving,” calling for urgent attention and reforms to revive the industry.
