Award-winning Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has delivered a blunt assessment of Ghana’s creative arts sector, describing it as “broken, with non-existent infrastructure.”
Speaking at the “Protecting What You Create” seminar, excerpts of which were shared on Instagram on February 28, 2026, the veteran musician revealed that despite more than a decade in the industry, he has never received royalties from Ghana.
“As a Ghanaian creative or businessperson, you are dealing with broken infrastructure and, at times, non-existent infrastructure,” he said.
“I have not received a single cedi in royalties from Ghana in my life. So the bad news is that this is where you are beginning from. You are starting from a broken place.”
Ghana Music Royalties Under Scrutiny
M.anifest’s comments reignite long-standing concerns about royalty distribution, copyright enforcement, and the overall structural weaknesses within Ghana’s music ecosystem.
For years, industry stakeholders have raised questions about transparency in revenue collection, performance rights management, and the limited systems supporting artistes financially. His statement adds weight to the argument that systemic reform remains overdue.
“Technology Is Our Equaliser”
Despite his criticism, M.anifest urged creatives not to adopt a defeatist mindset. Instead, he encouraged artists to embrace digital tools and innovation as a pathway to bypass structural limitations.
“You have to use technology as a tool. We have to use technology more than anybody else because that is our equaliser right now, as the system is broken.”
He questioned the availability of performance venues across the country, highlighting another challenge for musicians attempting to tour locally.
“If you release an album and decide to tour Ghana, how many venues are there across the country?”
An Uphill Climb for Ghanaian Creatives
The rapper emphasized that acknowledging the industry’s shortcomings is not an act of pessimism, but a realistic starting point for growth.
“It is not to be pessimistic or cynical… It is simply to remind you that the work you are doing is an uphill climb.”
His remarks reflect a broader conversation about infrastructure gaps in Ghana’s creative economy, including limited performance spaces, weak distribution systems, and inadequate institutional support.
The Bigger Picture
As Ghana positions itself as a cultural hub in Africa, industry observers argue that sustainable growth will require:
- Transparent royalty collection systems
- Stronger copyright enforcement
- Investment in venues and touring infrastructure
- Policy reforms to protect creatives
- Digital innovation and global distribution strategies
M.anifest’s candid disclosure may intensify calls for reform and spark renewed debate among policymakers, rights organizations, and creative industry leaders.
For many emerging artists, his message was clear: success in Ghana’s creative arts industry requires resilience, innovation, and strategic use of technology in a system still finding its footing.
