Nigerian artiste are not talented than Ghanaian artistes, we just need investors-Barima Sidney
Veteran Ghanaian musician Barima Sidney has highlighted the key reasons why Nigerian musicians continue to dominate the global music scene compared to their Ghanaian counterparts.
According to him, the difference is not in talent but in the level of investment and support available to Nigerian artists.
Sidney firmly believes that Ghanaian musicians are just as talented—if not more—than their Nigerian counterparts. However, the lack of proper financial backing has made it difficult for Ghanaian artists to achieve similar international recognition.
“Nigerians are never more talented than Ghanaians, but they get what they get because of the investors they have,” he stated.
He lamented the struggles that Ghanaian musicians face, emphasizing that artists in the country must work extra hard just to stay relevant. Unlike in other thriving music industries, where financial and structural support allows artists to focus solely on their craft, Ghanaian musicians are burdened with handling almost every aspect of their careers.
“The only work of an artiste is to be creative, write good songs, and record them. The rest of the work is not supposed to be a burden to the artiste. But here in Ghana, it isn’t so, which puts a lot of pressure on musicians,” he expressed.
Sidney stressed that Ghana is full of talented musicians who could compete on the global stage if given the right support. He pointed out that the music industry today is a lucrative business, yet in Ghana, it is not taken as seriously as it should be. “After making a song, if you’re the same person going through all the promotional processes, definitely we’ll always be at the bottom,” he said.
The musician made a strong case for more investors in Ghana’s music industry, arguing that the financial muscle behind Nigerian artists is what makes the difference. “Nigerians are not better than Ghanaians, but they have investors pumping money into their craft and the music business. All the musicians do is sing, and that’s why they are able to get those Grammys and penetrate the international market,” he asserted.
Sidney concluded by urging investors and stakeholders in Ghana to take the entertainment industry more seriously. He believes that if Ghanaian artists receive the necessary backing, they can achieve the same global success as their Nigerian counterparts.
“The reason both the movie and music industries work for Nigerians is the investors they get. Ghanaians have the talent; what we are left with are investors,” he emphasized.
His remarks serve as a wake-up call for Ghana’s music industry to prioritize investment and infrastructure development, ensuring that the country’s artists get the global recognition they deserve.
Author : Nana Ama Shancy
