Presidential Staffer and Black Star Experience lead, Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly known as Rex Omar, is urging a more inclusive and strategic approach to strengthening Ghana’s creative industry.
He says the sector cannot rely on a few artistes to carry the entire creative economy.
Speaking on Prime Morning, he warned that some artistes have become “too entitled,” expecting the industry to revolve around them. He stressed that Ghana has many gifted creatives who are not getting the support they need.
“We can’t have 32 million citizens and allow only one or two artistes to hijack the entire creative economy,” he said.
Rex Omar explained that large concerts remain one of the most effective ways to discover and promote emerging artistes. “Our work is to help unearth many more artistes, and we can only do so through big platforms,” he noted.
Reacting to criticisms about Nigerian artistes performing at Ghanaian events, he called for stronger African collaboration rather than isolation. “People are complaining about bringing Nigerian artistes, but we are ECOWAS,” he said. “How will you go international when you close your borders?”
He suggested a system where Ghanaian artistes perform alongside artistes from other African countries to increase visibility and reach. “If you’re doing a show in South Africa, bring two South African artistes and five Ghanaian artistes. Do the same in Nigeria and Ghana,” he explained.
Rex Omar said the long-term goal is to build a unified African creative market that will help Ghanaian artistes expand beyond the local space.
“How do we export Ghana if we want everything to remain only in Ghana? People must understand,” he added.