‘Ghanaian Songwriters Are Not Given Due Recognition’
Prolific Ghanaian songwriter and musician Gladstorm Kwabena Akwaboah, known in showbiz circles as Akwaboah Jr., has called on the Ghanaian music industry to pay attention to the plight of songwriters as they have continuously been sidelined and neglected despite their immense contribution to the industry.
Akwaboah Jnr., who is noted for writing hit songs such as Daa Ke Daa by Becca, Best In Me by Efya and Nsohhw3 by DSP Kofi Sarpong, in an interview with NY DJ on the Kapital Entertainment Unplugged Show says it hurts when songwriters are not given their due by artists and the entire industry, unlike in other countries where systems are in place to make sure the songwriter is given the necessary recognition.
The multi-talented instrumentalist, lyricist and silky-voiced Akwaboah Jnr., who is yet to release his album, is expected to take the music industry by storm with some interesting rhythms from his singles and maiden album.
The upcoming highlife music star announced his musical trademark to the world in 2009 when he wrote 'Daa Ke Daa' for Becca and 'Ayeyi Ndwom' for DSP Kofi Sarpong. Both songs won their respective artistes awards at the 2010 Ghana Music Awards, with Akwaboah subsequently being adjudged the Songwriter of the year 2010 for 'Daa Ke Daa'.
Elaborating on what he means by 'their due', Akwaboah explains that in other jurisdictions, credit is given to songwriters during performances, interviews, inscriptions at the back of CD covers and they even receive royalties for their works: But same cannot be said for Ghana.
This comes weeks after Ghanaian dancehall act and songwriter Linguakat accused Kaaki of never appreciating his hard work.
Akwaboah is however optimistic that the future is bright for songwriters in Ghana, advising them to get their facts right and pen down contracts to avoid future tussles with artistes.