Ghana music industry faces piracy and payout hurdles as Gyakie tops Spotify

Ghana’s music industry, valued at approximately $150 million with a 10% annual growth rate, faces significant structural challenges despite the global success of genres like Afrobeats and Highlife. Key issues include low streaming payouts, piracy causing estimated annual losses of over GH¢10 million, and difficulties in music discovery. While the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) recently distributed GH¢1.4 million in royalties and introduced new transparency measures, artists still struggle to convert viral popularity into sustainable income.

Amidst these industry-wide hurdles, singer Gyakie has become the most-streamed Ghanaian artist on Spotify for August 2026. She recorded 28.14 million global streams, marking a 145% increase from the previous month and overtaking Moliy for the top position.