Veteran Ghanaian musician and Presidential staffer at the Blackstar Experience, Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly known as Rex Omar, has once again showered praise on dancehall icon Shatta Wale, describing him as one of the true forces driving modern Ghanaian music.
Speaking on Prime Morning on Joy Prime on November 19, Rex Omar reflected on the years of advocacy he and other pioneers undertook to push for stronger structures within the creative industry. According to him, Shatta Wale embodies the same boldness and determination he brought into the space decades ago.
When asked which young artiste mirrors his fiery passion for creative industry reform, Rex Omar did not hesitate:
“I see myself in Shatta Wale. He picked up what I started and took it to a different level. I’m proud that today, a Ghanaian musician, a Ghanaian creative, is finally receiving the attention we’ve been fighting for.”
He explained that the recognition and influence Shatta Wale enjoys today are not accidental, but the result of relentless lobbying and advocacy by many in the industry over the years—efforts he believes government is finally beginning to acknowledge.
Rex Omar recalled listening to the presentation of the 2026 national budget while in South Africa and expressed satisfaction at the allocation of GH₵20 million to the Film Fund and another GH₵20 million to the Creative Arts Fund, two major interventions creatives have long fought for.
“This is a step in the right direction,” he said. Although more investment is still needed, he believes these initial seed funds have the potential to attract even greater opportunities, partnerships, and long-term investment for the sector.
He emphasised that the developments being witnessed today—government engagement, policy discussions, financial allocations, and broader national attention—are outcomes of years of advocacy undertaken by industry leaders, including himself. But he also stressed that creatives like Shatta Wale significantly amplified the conversation, using their platforms to demand better structures and industry respect.
According to Rex Omar, Shatta Wale represents a brave new era of Ghanaian artiste—one who is outspoken, fearless, and determined to challenge the status quo. He believes the dancehall star’s influence has contributed greatly to reshaping public perception of the arts, pushing policymakers and society at large to recognise the economic potential and cultural impact of Ghana’s creative sector.
Rex Omar’s latest comments come at a time when government has reaffirmed its commitment to making the creative economy a major contributor to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With calls for stronger policies, better funding, and institutional support intensifying over the years, industry players see the recent budget allocations as a crucial step in the right direction.
He concluded by stating that the collaborative efforts of pioneers, emerging artistes, and vocal industry leaders like Shatta Wale are gradually steering Ghana toward a creative economy with real national value—one deserving of sustained investment and strategic development.
