Musicians Face 10-Year Jail Term

Ghanaian musicians who promote drug use in their songs may face 10 years jail term if convicted by a court of law. Neatly tucked among the law books is PNDCL 236 Narcotic Drug (Control, Enforcement and Sanction) Law, 1990, which says that no person should without lawful authority undertake any activity for the purpose of establishing or promoting any enterprise relating to narcotic drugs.

The law states further that any person who commits an offence under this section, if found guilty, is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years.A source at the Narcotic Control Board who spoke with Showbiz last Monday said that unlike some countries where musicians such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh promoted marijuana in their songs and had no problem with the law, Ghana has a law which prohibits the promotion of narcotic drugs.

The source said although narcotic laws are largely substance based and therefore offenders need to possess or have under their control the means for production or distribution, there is still a price to pay for promoting drugs.Currently, concerns have been raised about drug use and promotion among. After the death of master keyboardist and composer,Kiki,Gyan in June this year many people have especially expressed their disapproval at performers who allegedly can only mount the stage when they are ?high.?

Talking to Slim Busterr, a musician and dancer, on the issue, he said any musician who needs to get high to mount the stage has no talent. "The musicians who use drugs feel they are good but they aren?t. I will be very happy if the law on narcotic drug promotion through music will be enforced," he added.He said the rate at which some musicians are promoting drugs in their songs and even sporting narcotic paraphernalia was getting out of hand and that it was high time they were stopped.

Hiplifer Emmanuel Samini, popularly known as Batman, says he is not aware some musicians use and promote narcotic drugs in their songs. "I haven?t really noticed it but if it is going on then I don?t think it is a good idea. Therefore if there are laws like this, they should be enforced."

Batman, who says he does not take drugs, told Showbiz that musicians should steer clear from drugs. "Musicians should concentrate on creativity than getting dopey."
Nana King, a popular musician, producer and sound engineer,who condemns drug use tells Showbiz that it is wrong for musicians to promote or sport anything that gives wrong signals since musicians are looked upon by many youths in the society as role models.

?Some musicians use narcotic drugs and you will be surprised to know who they are. Lives of many musicians have been ruined through drugs and I believe others do not want to end up like that,? he said.Kwaadee whose birthday cake decorations were designs of marijuana leaves and had the same design on the sleeve of his albums Metoa So and Okomfo Se Koo, says he is against illicit drug promotion.

He said people took lyrics of his music out of context and thought he was promoting drugs. "I do not promote drug use and I never will. I do not use cocaine or heroine. I am against the use of such drugs. However, I prefer natural things, I will never advise anyone to use them.?
His compatriot, Bice Osei Kufuor, a.k.a Obour, who has also been accused as one of the offenders who have promoted drugs, says ?I will never do that.

Drugs should not be promoted through music or any other means. I wouldn?t want to sport anything if I know it will give the wrong signals.?He said he wore a hat that had the emblem of his record label, Family Tree, and people mistook it for marijuana leaves.?It is actually a tree with a few branches and not wee. It is unfortunate it did not come out well and so gave the wrong signal. I do not do drugs and will not promote them,? he maintained.