Former CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwasi Agyeman, has stated that greater attention should be given to veteran musicians in the creative arts industry.
In an interview with GhanaWeb’s Isaac Dadzie, Akwasi Agyeman noted that musicians play a pivotal role in the economy, hence their welfare should be taken more seriously.
“I don’t think people understood the creative arts to be a business. I mean, if you look at the old musicians, they played their lives out for nothing. But the new generations starting from the Lumba, Dada KD, they started looking at it as business friendship aside, brotherhood aside.
‘Beyond The Return’ project on course – Akwasi Agyeman
“I believe that if we take a cue from him and from people like Lumba and the upcoming and new generation of artistes, we need to pay more attention to the sector, we need to pay more attention to the welfare of our musicians,” he said.
Akwasi Agyeman further noted that there is a common perception that veteran acts must always appear happy and wealthy, a notion he believes should be challenged.
According to him, this expectation makes it difficult for veteran musicians to open up on their struggles.
“When they are going through difficulties, they don’t have anybody to share with. They are always meant to be seen laughing, they are always meant to be seen happy, and meant to be seen rich. But sometimes it’s not like that,” he added.
Watch the video below:
JHM/EB
Also catch the latest episode of Talkertainment with Ghana’s most-sought-after MC/Hypeman, Kojo Manuel, below: