‘Crab’ culture crippling patronage of local music – Omar

Ghanaian highlife musician Rex Omar has criticised Ghanaians for giving priority to foreign productions and artistes over local ones.

According to the veteran musician, the attitude arises from Ghanaian culture that encourages preferential treatment of foreigners at the expense of locals and has now been extended to patronage of foreign songs, movies and TV programmes over locally produced ones.

“A Ghanaian will want to promote a foreigner at the expense of the Ghanaian just because of envy. He doesn’t wish to see his compatriot progress. He would rather a foreigner get the glory than his fellow citizen, that is our attitude,” he lamented.

The ‘Abiba’ hit maker said in other countries the reverse was the case, as they promoted their own over other nationals. Citing Nigeria as an example, he explained that despite that country’s massive population, its 150 million people patronised native artistes.

“But the very small community that we have here will rather promote Nigerian music at the expense of Ghana’s. So, we are like crabs in a bucket – one makes no progress and the others don’t either,” he told Nana Romeo on Ayekoo Ayekoo on Accra100.5FM on Friday June 17.

Rex Omar, born Rex Owusu Marfo, thus, called for the formulation of a state policy and its enforcement to protect local artistes given Ghana’s special situation.

“We are a small country and, if we are not careful, we will very soon, given what the media has allowed, forget about our names.