Ghanaian musician King Paluta has pushed back against claims by Rex Omar, board chairman of Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), that the majority of musicians in Ghana are not earning from their craft.
In a recent interview on Joy Prime, Rex Omar stated that nearly “97% of Ghanaian musicians are not making money.”
According to him, while the country is rich in talent, the business structures required to sustain artistes financially are largely absent.
“The business aspect of it that will sustain them is zero,” he said, adding that many artistes enter the industry driven by passion but struggle because they lack the systems to properly monetise their work.
Media personality C-Real also weighed in, suggesting the percentage could be as high as 99 percent.
Reacting to the claim, King Paluta took to X (formerly Twitter) on February 12, 2026, to challenge the narrative.
“I really don’t understand this. Of course I am making money. Why are we making it look like the game hasn’t been good to us? I still no dey barb. Who are the 99%? People are listening to you and you are not making money? Ano dey barb,” he wrote.
The artiste insisted that while challenges may exist, it is inaccurate to suggest that nearly all musicians are struggling financially. According to him, the industry has been rewarding for those who approach it strategically.
The exchange highlights an ongoing debate about the sustainability of music careers in Ghana.
On one hand, industry stakeholders argue that despite Ghana’s abundant talent, financial returns remain limited for many artistes due to weak royalty systems, limited streaming revenue, and inadequate business structures.
On the other hand, musicians like King Paluta maintain that with the right branding, marketing, and business acumen, music can indeed be profitable.
As conversations around monetisation, royalties, and industry reform continue, the debate underscores a larger question: Is Ghana’s music industry failing its artistes, or are some simply navigating it more effectively than others?
