Blogger Ebenezer Akandurugo has pointed out that while the Upper East Region has some presence in the entertainment sector, it lacks a fully developed industry that encompasses all aspects of entertainment, such as film production, nightlife, and media support.
“I don’t see that we have an entertainment industry in the Upper East Region because when we’re talking of entertainment, it comprises a lot, not just music.”
Speaking on A1 Radio recently, Mr. Akandurugo acknowledged the existence of a music industry in the region but highlighted that it remains unreliable and underdeveloped.
“I might agree with you when you say we have a music industry in the Upper East Region. We have, not a reliable one like that, but we have a music industry.”
According to him, a truly robust entertainment industry would require a thriving movie sector, which is currently absent in the region. He noted that no notable movie production could be pointed to in 2024, underscoring the gap in the regional film industry. The blogger also stressed the importance of improving the region’s nightlife and media support for the creative arts.
“I’ll be looking at the media support for whatever the creative art industry is doing. To me, I can say aside from a few media houses in the region that are supporting, we don’t see the support like that.”
He praised the efforts of a few media houses that have supported the arts but called for greater collaboration to elevate the region’s entertainment scene.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Akandurugo expressed optimism about the music industry’s progress, particularly in 2024. He commended local artists for their hard work and urged them to continue pushing boundaries. He encouraged musicians to be true to themselves and embrace their unique styles, dismissing the idea that language barriers could hinder their success.
“I’ll applaud our artists for what they did last year, and I’ll encourage them that this year, they should try to do more. They shouldn’t relent on whatever they did last year. People do argue that language is a barrier, but to me, I don’t see language to be a barrier in music. They should be themselves and do whatever they feel will sell them out.”
Furthermore, Mr. Akandurugo pointed out the economic challenges artists face, urging them to engage in other income-generating activities while pursuing music, as the industry is not always financially rewarding. He called for more community support, particularly for smaller events that allow artists to showcase their talents and further develop their careers.
“We need to support these guys, especially when they come with a small program somewhere,” he said.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
