During a meeting with stakeholders in the creative arts sector on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Flagbearer of the ruling NPP government, emphasized the importance of finding a local solution to help Ghanaian musicians earn better financial rewards from their work.
This initiative aims to create a more equitable revenue model for Ghanaian creatives, enabling them to effectively track and receive royalties, thus promoting sustainable growth within the industry.
A notable moment from the meeting took place when Shatta Wale, the self-proclaimed Dancehall King, humorously requested that the Vice President respond in pidgin English.
“I want to know what you have for our fans out there… and that’s the street… And Your Excellency, I will please plead with you, when you want to respond to what I’m saying, for today and the people out there on the street, just say it in pidgin small for me,” Shatta Wale asked with a touch of humour. Shatta Wale asked.
Dr Bawumia obligingly responded in pidgin, expressing his empathy for the people who are struggling and highlighting his commitment to helping those in need by referencing his own past experiences as a farm labourer, cleaner, and taxi driver.
Bawumia’s response
“The thing wey dey my heart, be the people wey dey suffer for the country. I be patron of ‘let’s lead Ghana.’ I be farm labourer before, I be cleaner, taxi driver before, so I know how people dey suffer, my heart dey the streets. The thing wey I dey do all be how I for help the streets. Free SHS and digitalisation dey come help everyone, so if I come government I sabi the thing I go do to help everyone.”
He also mentioned initiatives such as Free SHS and digitalization that aim to benefit everyone.
Story by Obaapa Janee
