Ghanaian musicians most pitiful in the world – Dada KD laments paltry royalties

Ghanaian musicians face significant challenges, according to Highlife star Dada KD. He shared his thoughts on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo show. Host Nana Romeo asked about the regularity of his royalty payments.

Dada KD expressed disappointment over how music is undervalued in Ghana. He believes it is often seen as a sign of failure. “It’s as if it’s a foolish sport,” he said. He noted that some great musicians have shown music can create wealth.

He mentioned Michael Jackson, who earned money for his family even after death. Dada KD described his own life as modest but emphasized he is “hustling.” He acknowledged he cannot afford his dream Range Rover yet but remains hopeful for change within a year.

He criticized the poor royalty collection systems in Ghana. These systems prevent musicians from receiving their rightful intellectual property payments. “If you listen to radio during lunch, who doesn’t play Fatia Fata Nkrumah?” he asked. He believes better tracking would result in more earnings from his music.