Rex Omar, Chairman of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), has raised concerns about the inability of Ghana’s music and creative arts industry to support its practitioners.
In an interview with George Quaye on Joy Prime, the veteran musician said most artists are unable to make a living from their work.
“Ghana is not ready to support music, up to today. I can tell you that 97 per cent of Ghanaian musicians are not making money,” he stated.
Rex Omar explained that while a handful of successful acts inspire younger talent, the majority pursue music purely out of passion, without the business infrastructure needed to sustain them.
“They go into music out of passion. But the business aspect of it that will sustain them is zero,” he said.
He also revealed that he is considering stepping down as GHAMRO board chair, citing delays in electing a new board.
“Technically, I’m still there as chairman, waiting for them to do elections so that I can hand over and leave. I’m thinking of leaving this month (February) because what I went there to do is finished. We went to digitise GHAMRO, and I’m going to launch it, and I’ll leave,” Rex Omar explained.
Apart from his role at GHAMRO, he criticized Ghana’s broader creative economy and intellectual property framework, arguing that the government has not fulfilled its responsibilities.
“Ghana is still not ready. Look at our IP industry. Now go to the corporate office. The reason why all our CMOs are suffering is that the role that the state must play and take it seriously is still not being done,” he stated.
