Okay FM presenter and National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist Abeiku Santana has sparked controversy with his recent criticism of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s newly launched music streaming app. The app was designed to empower Ghanaian musicians by providing a dedicated platform to help maximize their earnings, aiming to boost Ghana’s music industry.
However, Abeiku Santana, a former NDC Parliamentary aspirant, dismissed the initiative as “useless,” pointing out the lack of a similar platform in Nigeria, whose music industry is significantly larger than Ghana’s. This criticism has been met with mixed reactions, with some labeling his comments contradictory and counterproductive to industry growth.
At an NDC event in Kumasi intended to rally support for John Mahama within the entertainment sector, Santana’s comments raised eyebrows. While acknowledging Nigeria’s leading position in African entertainment, he questioned the need for a Ghanaian streaming platform, even as he advocated for a similar app for the Ghanaian film industry despite admitting it, too, is smaller than Nigeria’s. This inconsistency has led some to question the logic of his argument.
Comparisons between the entertainment industries of Ghana and Nigeria have long highlighted Nigeria’s dominance in both music and film. Some argue that Santana’s reasoning implies that Ghana’s smaller music industry does not warrant a dedicated streaming app, though he seems to overlook this reasoning in his support for the film sector.
Santana’s remarks have also led some to question his critical thinking and consistency, with critics suggesting his views may be influenced by his political affiliations rather than industry considerations. His stance, some say, could hinder progress by discouraging initiatives aimed at growing Ghana’s entertainment industry.
In the wake of these statements, many in Ghana’s entertainment sector are calling for a reconsideration of Santana’s position, suggesting that such a platform could provide the infrastructure needed to empower local artists and stimulate the industry’s growth.
Dr. Bawumia’s music streaming app aims to support Ghanaian musicians by promoting local talent and creating a pathway for increased industry revenues, a vision many see as essential to the sector’s expansion.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com