You must be familiar with the narrative of the struggling artist in Ghana who does not make enough money from their craft until they die. Have you been discouraged from doing arts because it was believed to be an unlucrative industry? Well, what if I told you they were wrong?

Over the weekend I attended the Tribvl X Openspace open discussion which focused on the theme ‘Deriving economic benefit from Africa’s emerging Dominance in Pop Culture’ at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.

The discussion was led by a seven-member panel which included media personalities Abeiku Santana, Bola Ray, GUBA’s Dentaa Amoateng, Playwright and Poet Chief Moomen, Ashesi Lecturer Kobby Graham and Acting Director of the National Focal Board Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante who shared various insights on how creatives in Ghana can make money from their craft.

Opening the discussion for the night, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Honorable Carlos Ahenkra who was the special guest of honor for the event challenged artists to develop traits in their culture that can make them be easily identified to attract the international audience.

Create a unique brand

GUBA Founder, Dentaa Amoateng spoke on the importance for creatives to build brands that are unique so they can easily be identified among others.
“Your brand needs to have a selling factor that is personal to you as an artist, be it your style, your market, your subject, it must be catchy and worth buying in to”

Collaborate with others

Media personality and CEO of EIB Network, Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi a.k.a Bola Ray touched on the need for artists to collaborate and network with other creatives.
“Are you serious about making commercial hits? Then you surely have to go out and meet people who can help you make the dream a success.
Collaborating with fashion designers, dancers, painters and musicians is a great way to make collaboration work for you and bring in constant work.”

Change the old narrative in your content

Ghanaian playwright and spoken word artist Chief Moomen called on players in the creative industry mostly musicians to employ more authentic content that sells Ghana to the world in their works. “Most artists show more light skinned women in their music video which in turn encourages some women to bleach since that is the “standard of beauty” they are presented. Can we have more black women in our videos? Can we wear more kente and made in Ghana goods? It’s time we change that narrative!”

Nana Adjoa Adobea Asante who is the Acting Director of the National Focal Board listed crowdfunding and angel investors as ways creatives can get economic benefits from their talents.

If you want to know more then you definitely do not want to miss the next open discussion to be organized by Tribvl X Openspace.

Watch highlights of the event below.