Bisa Kdei laments missed opportunity to promote music during Year of Return

Ghanaian Highlife musician Bisa Kdei is of the opinion that Ghana has failed to fully leverage the Year of Return initiative to promote Ghanaian music on the global stage.

In an interview with Accra FM, Bisa Kdei lamented the promotion of foreign music during the December in GH period.

“During recent Year of Return events, I don’t think we use them well enough for ourselves. There are instances where foreigners come to experience Ghanaian music but end up listening to other genres.

We know a lot of people came to Ghana during the Year of Return, but a lot of shows were not playing Ghanaian songs but promoting other genres.”

He also observed that certain promoters have impeded the advancement of Ghanaian music, particularly on the global stage, because of their negative stance towards the music industry.

Bisa Kdei asserts that it’s highly inaccurate to suggest that Ghanaian music lacks quality, while simultaneously undermining the hard work and dedication of the musicians who pour their efforts into their craft.

He further emphasized that the negative remarks made by certain promoters have also restricted the expansion of the music industry, particularly as investors are hesitant to invest in an environment tainted by such criticism.

“You would have some promoters say no Ghanaian artiste can’t sell the O2 Arena, and they keep downplaying the efforts of the Ghanaian artistes.”

“Let’s say good things so that it will encourage others to do their best. Nobody should say our music is not that good because some other artistes come to Ghana and even learn,” he lamented.