Ghanaian music producer Appietus has called for deliberate government intervention to help structure and grow the country’s music industry.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on `Atuu' on April 6, 2026, Appietus highlighted the struggles musicians face, particularly when it comes to taxation and lack of institutional support.

According to him, many successful artistes achieve their status through sheer determination and personal investment, without any structured backing from the state.

“We have to know that any musician who is at the top actually pushed himself hard to be there,” he said.

He referenced an earlier comment by Shatta Wale on Good Evening Ghana, where the artiste questioned what the government has done for musicians to justify taxing them.

“Some time ago, when Shatta Wale went on Good Evening Ghana, he asked what the government had done for him to pay tax,” he stated.

Appietus explained that other sectors, such as healthcare and education, benefit from government incentives, including duty waivers, while the music industry appears to be neglected.

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“He realized that the government does something for the doctors’ industry. When they bring cars, they’re not charged for duty. They do something for the nursing industry, teachers, and others. What is the government doing for musicians?” he quizzed.

He noted that expecting musicians to pay taxes without providing them with the necessary support systems creates an imbalance.

“If the musician hustles to get to the top and they’re asked to pay tax, it will be kind of difficult,” he said.

Appietus further urged the government to collaborate with the Attorney General to establish a clear structure for the industry, insisting that frameworks already exist and can be easily implemented.

“I feel like if the government steps in with the attorney general to structure the music industry, he doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. The system is already there, so if a president decides to do it, he would do it so simply,” he shared.

He also advocated for grant schemes for emerging artistes, arguing that financial support without repayment obligations would significantly boost the industry’s growth.

“If there’s a system where the upcoming musicians can get access to certain grants to kick-start their careers, Ghana’s music industry would flourish. If they’re given loans, they won’t be able to pay,” he added.


FG/EB


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