Elias Kumi (right) in a pose with a friend
Event organiser and artiste manager Elias Kumi, has declared that the local music industry is not well-equipped to support the development of artistes as well as young talents.
He believes that due to lack of good structures to streamline the operations of the industry, players were suffering and could not get the exposure they need.
He revealed that stakeholders were suffering and struggling to make ends meet as a result of the industry’s lack of effective mechanisms to simplify operations.
According to him, the music industry’s development has been severely hindered by lack of a database of the sector and a logical, professionally run distribution and marketing structure.
Mr. Ellias Kumi noted that there is a lot of work that needs to be done, and structures put in place to make the industry a fertile ground for talented individuals across the country to blossom.
He thinks that the industry’s current state stems from lack of effective structures and proper procedures, which has also made the government incapable of managing the country’s music industry.
He emphasized that there would soon be a significant “house cleaning exercise” in the music business to remove everyone whose deeds or inactions had impeded Ghana’s music industry’s advancement.
He however, stated that the music industry “is a potential revenue earner with many job creation opportunities, but potential investors with the ability to drive the industry are finding it difficult to invest in the industry due to lack of focus and effective structures to enhance the development and promotion of Ghanaian music coupled with a divided front.”
According to him, Ghanaian musicians would benefit greatly from the protection of artists’ rights since it would enable them to enjoy the rewards of their labor.
He added that “it is the duty of the stakeholders to work with everybody including the government to monitor the activities of the industry players who have been given the mandate to manage the affairs of the industry.”