Regulate airwaves – Pundits tell govt

One topic which has been trending in the entertainment scene for a while is Nigerian music taking over in Ghana.

While musicians and stakeholders in the industry have lent their voices to the subject which was ignited by Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale last December, some entertainment pundits have also expressed their opinions.

In separate interviews with Graphic Showbiz, entertainment pundits, Kojo Kinn, Kwesi Martinezz and Edem Mensah Tsotsorme reiterated the call for government to enact laws to rectify the situation.

According to Kojo Kinn, there should be a system that regulates content on the airwaves. “Just like Highlife veteran Rex Omar said, I believe that a system needs to be put in place to give more airplay to Ghanaian music.

“Promotion of non-Ghanaian acts must be approved and audited by programme managers of radio and television stations, not on-air personalities, deejays and producers.

“Moreover, Ghanaian acts have to be proactive and smart; the ideology of a middle-class Ghanaian is to work hard, make money and live comfortably but this narrative appears different with show business in Ghana,” he said.

In the words of Kwesi Martinezz, “The government can curb the situation by passing a law to regulate the percentage of airplay given to foreign songs on radio, TV, pubs, night clubs and even at social gatherings.”

While calling for more airplay for Ghanaian music, Edem Mensah Tsotsorme of the Weekly Spectator believes the artistes must equally work harder to be at par with the growing competition.

“It’s very important that our artistes work on good sounds which are marketable beyond our borders and have a global appeal. Yes, we need the laws to regulate the deep penetration of foreign music in our markets but we must also do our homework well.

“The focus should be on the production of music that has global appeal as the Nigerians are doing. The truth is that Ghanaian artistes have been living in their comfort zones for a very long time and it is time they explored other markets,” he stated.