Musician and politician, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as Kwame A Plus, has expressed his concerns about the challenges facing Ghana’s creative arts sector.
He believes that the industry’s problems are largely caused by the artistes themselves, rather than politicians.
In an interview with DJ Slim on Daybreak Hitz, A-Plus highlighted the lack of unity among creative people.
“The problem with creative arts is the creative arts people themselves. It’s not the politicians. Everybody wants to be seen as ‘me doing this. They can’t be united. If you want to help creative arts people, you have to help them with one hand and hold them with another hand because they will beat you.”
Kwame A-Plus cited Shatta Wale’s decision to distance himself from the music industry as an example of the disunity and lack of seriousness among creatives, making it difficult to help them effectively.
“The creative arts issues are just too many. And that is why, I support Shatta Wale because they are not united. Most of them are not serious. It is very difficult to help them,” he said.
Kwame A-Plus emphasised that his focus is on his interests and supporting underprivileged communities, rather than fighting for artistes’ royalties.
“So for me, I’m not in this for anybody’s interest. I mean this for my interests and underprivileged people and communities. If anybody wants to be part of it, I’ll find a place in my setting for them,” he expressed.
He also pointed out that artists often only concern themselves with royalties when their careers are struggling.
“I’m not here to come and spend my time fighting for people’s royalties. Because the people that you are going to fight for, only start talking about royalties when they are not getting shows and are not selling.
“Do you hear Stonebwoy or Sarkodie or all these big artistes fighting over royalties? They are making money now. They are playing shows. They are okay, but once it reduces, then now you find them,” he said.