Ghanaians don’t appreciate creatives enough – Kumi Guitar

Nana Yaw Kumi, a Ghanaian Highlife musician who is well recognized by the stage name Kumi Guitar, has opined that Ghanaians do not support and appreciate their own artistes and creatives enough despite their hard work.

According to the crooner, one of the reasons why musicians and creatives in the country are unable to stay relevant in the fraternity for a long period of time as well as improve their works is as a result of lack of support from Ghanaians as well as their inability to value them (creatives).

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the ‘ Betweener’ hitmaker explained that Ghanaians lack the zeal to support their own, adding that they are rather quick to talk down on the creativity of artistes in contrast to what pertains in other countries where even the least talented creatives receive overwhelming support and recognition.

He emphasized that the reason why Ghanaian musicians lose popularity over time is not because they are not working hard, but because the system and citizens do not appreciate their talents.
Kumi explained by saying, “We don’t cherish our own. In other parts of the world, talents are treasured and held in high esteem because they want the rest of the world to know they have valuable creatives and that is why most times, these people feel they are better than us and continue to stay relevant for a long time.”

Per the highlife musician, a Nigerian will never choose a Ghanaian musician over theirs. “But our people will most often choose others over their own and this contributes a great deal to why Naija artistes are always winning and making it big time.
“In Nigeria, if you talk about 2Face in a bad way, they will come after you but here in Ghana, we have the likes of Agya Koo Nimo and other veterans, but we hardly mention and appreciate them.”
Kumi Guitar concluding by pleaded with stakeholders to put in place support structures to recognise the works, as well as provide some help for veteran creatives who have paid their dues to the creative sphere but are no longer actively engage.