Veteran Highlife musician Rex Omar has firmly stated that he would not advise his children to pursue a music career in Ghana, pointing out the numerous challenges and disappointments in the industry.
During an interview with Accra-based 3FM, Omar shared his personal struggles and the systemic obstacles faced by Ghanaian musicians, especially on the global stage.
When asked if he would encourage his children to enter the music industry, he replied decisively, “no.” Despite their musical talents, he has managed to steer them away from a professional music path.
“None of my children are into music. I didn’t impose it on them. I told them the truth. They understand that if you play around with music as a Ghanaian, music will disappoint you,” he stated.
Omar recounted his experiences touring South Africa and other countries, where he observed a lack of support from the Ghanaian government. While other artists were greeted with significant support from their embassies, including branded vehicles, he often found himself without any such backing.
“I realized how exposed I am as an artist. It brought my spirit down,” he shared.
He mentioned an instance where he sought assistance from the Minister of Tourism for a tour, but received minimal aid.
“Today, tomorrow, today, tomorrow, today, tomorrow. He said they could sponsor one person, but even with that, I went on the tour for five months. I came back two months later before I was given something small. And even that something small, with the ups and downs, I nearly left it,” he explained.
Rex Omar believes that the industry has neglected its artists, making it difficult for them to achieve international success without a solid support system.