Artiste manager, Nana Poku Ashis, has weighed in on the recent inclusion of rapper Amerado’s song “Kwaku Ananse” in the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) nominee list.
His reaction comes after Amerado’s successful petition to have his song recognized in multiple categories.
During a live discussion on Hitz FM, Ashis emphasised the importance of Ghanaian creatives standing up for themselves when faced with injustices.
He lamented the tendency of many musicians to remain silent even when they know they are right, labelling them as ‘timid’ in addressing issues affecting them.
Ashis urged musicians to be proactive in addressing matters that concern them, citing Amerado’s case as a prime example of how advocating for oneself can lead to positive outcomes.
He highlighted the need for artists to make their voices heard and not allow errors to go uncorrected due to silence.
“A lot of musicians are very timid. They know what’s right, or they have the facts to back their case. But most of them just stay behind. You need to make a case for yourself at all times.
“This has shed light on a typical example of how some of these musicians (if they feel things are going wrong) should act.
“It’s not about fighting, it’s not about insults. Make a case for yourself, and the right quarters will hear it.
“Amerado has shown the way. If others also feel something unjust has been done to them, I think they should also come up and make a case for themselves.
“You know, there are times when you see the blatant mistakes, but because it’s just pundits talking and the artists themselves are not making a case to start, it gets to slide like that,” Nana Ashis stated.
The TGMA board recently made updates to the nomination list following petitions from several artists, including Amerado.
As a result, Amerado’s song “Kwaku Ananse” will now compete in both the Best Highlife Song and Most Popular Song of the Year categories, with the original version replacing the remix.
Additionally, the joint project “Lonely Road” by O’Kenneth & Xlim Kid received proper recognition after the review.
Ashis’s comments underscore a broader call for Ghanaian musicians to speak up against injustices and actively advocate for their rights within the music industry.