Veteran Ghanaian sound engineer and record producer Hammer, has raised concerns about the financial realities of Ghana’s music industry, arguing that despite the visibility and popularity of many artistes, only a small number can be considered genuinely successful.
Speaking on the Konnected Minds podcast, Hammer attributed the situation to the industry’s weak structures, particularly the challenges surrounding royalty collection and the lack of long-term financial security for musicians.
According to him, many artistes struggle to build sustainable careers because the systems that should generate consistent revenue and support them after their peak years remain underdeveloped. As a result, a significant number of musicians are left without stable income streams or retirement plans.
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Hammer cited survey data which indicated that 85.4 per cent of musicians are not enrolled in any formal pension scheme, while many also lack alternative investment vehicles that could provide financial security later in life.
“They don’t have the money for the pension scheme. You’re better off as a teller at a bank. You will be more consistent with your pension scheme payments than a musician,” he said.
His comments highlight a growing concern within the creative industry about the welfare of artistes once their commercial relevance begins to decline. Unlike workers in more structured professions, many musicians depend heavily on performance fees, endorsements and short-term opportunities, leaving them vulnerable to income fluctuations.
The founder of the Last Two Music Group, further argued that public perception of success in the entertainment industry is often misleading, noting that fame does not necessarily translate into financial stability.
While several Ghanaian artistes enjoy widespread recognition, he maintained that only a handful have been able to build enduring wealth and sustainable careers from music.
“A successful musician, how many are there in Ghana? Successful musicians in Ghana are a handful,” he stated.
The veteran producer also suggested that the few artistes who have managed to attain financial stability have done so largely through personal initiative and strong fan support rather than the backing of a well-established industry framework.
According to him, these musicians continue to thrive despite the absence of systems that should ordinarily provide opportunities for consistent revenue generation and career development.
“They are being patronised. And they are surviving in the absence of an industry. They are doing their own thing,” he added.
Hammer’s remarks add to ongoing conversations about the need for stronger industry structures, improved royalty administration and better financial planning mechanisms to safeguard the long-term welfare of Ghanaian musicians.