Musician Fasetwo has called on Ghana’s music industry stakeholders to create more opportunities for artistes from the northern part of the country, arguing that the industry remains overly concentrated in Accra and Kumasi.
He said the lack of opportunities and recognition outside the two major entertainment hubs makes it difficult for artistes from the North to break into Ghana’s mainstream music scene.
According to Fasetwo, the situation is particularly concerning given the contribution of Northern musicians to indigenous Ghanaian music and the success some of them have achieved on international stages.
“It’s like everything is centered to the southern sector, so it becomes a problem,” he said in an interview.
Fasetwo pointed to artistes including King Ayisoba, Wiyaala and Stevo Atambire as examples of musicians from the North who have taken Ghanaian music to international audiences.
He said their achievements demonstrate the talent and potential within the region but stressed that more deliberate efforts are needed to give emerging artistes similar opportunities.
“Some of us now find it difficult to even penetrate or migrate into the capital to make an impact,” he said.
He therefore urged organisers of music awards, industry programmes and other entertainment initiatives to expand their activities to the northern regions instead of concentrating opportunities in the southern part of the country.
“I think if there are any opportunities, they should explore the northern part of Ghana, especially Upper East Region,” Fasetwo added.
The musician believes greater attention to the North could help expose local talent, strengthen the region’s music industry and provide artistes with opportunities to compete on a broader scale.
