Jelili Gbadamosi
Shatta Wale, the controversial Ghanaian singer, has lamented the poor financial rewards for entertainers in Ghana, saying many artistes struggle to make ends meet despite achieving fame.
The musician made the remarks during a recent episode of The Honest Bunch Podcast, where he compared Ghana’s entertainment industry with Nigeria’s, claiming Nigerian entertainers receive greater recognition and financial support.
According to Shatta Wale, the lack of appreciation for successful entertainers in Ghana once left him struggling financially, even at the peak of his popularity.
Recalling his experience, he said his girlfriend accommodated him at her parents’ house while he relied on taxis to attend performances.
“Nigerians appreciate success, Ghana doesn’t appreciate success. As a star, I was sleeping on the street as big as I am. At one point, my girlfriend, who was living with her parents, was the one accommodating me.
“Even as a big Ghanaian artist back then, I took taxis to shows. Not just me, a lot of Ghanaian artists do that. Ghanaian artists earn pennies, while their Nigerian counterparts earn big,” he said.
Shatta Wale urged Ghanaian entertainers to emulate their Nigerian counterparts by setting higher standards and pushing for better opportunities within the industry.
