Sarkodie criticizes Ghana's music royalty and digital infrastructure

Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie has raised concerns regarding the country's inadequate music royalty collection systems and digital infrastructure. During a media tour for his upcoming Rapperholic Kumasi 2026 concert, the artist argued that the current structures fail to fairly reward local musicians compared to their counterparts in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Sarkodie noted that while Ghanaian musicians maintain strong local listenership, the lack of a robust domestic system forces them to rely heavily on foreign markets for significant revenue. He highlighted that the digital economy in Ghana faces hurdles, such as limited access to international streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music due to a lack of necessary payment tools, such as Visa cards, among the general population.

He emphasized that while developed economies use streaming metrics as a primary measure of an artist's success and revenue, Ghana's current infrastructure prevents local consumption from translating into meaningful income for creators.