‘Playing Ghanaian songs is common sense’ – Rex Omar

Veteran highlife artiste, Rex Omar has stated that it should not take a legislation to compel radio stations to play more local songs but common sense.

He shares the view that playing local songs is just like purchasing made in Ghana goods which goes a long way to help grow the economy.

Rex Omar’s comment comes on the heels of a decision by the South African Broadcasting Corporation that 90% local music be played across its 18 radio stations.

Speaking on radio Univer’s mid-morning show on Monday, Rex said the decision is an indication that South Africa is interested in upholding its culture as well as helping its music industry to survive.

“This is just common sense, just like someone saying buy made in Ghana goods. Music is also a product… If you play foreign songs on radio stations and you are to pay royalties, it means you are paying for foreign songs. It’s a matter of you looking inward to develop your economy. The more Ghanaian music is played, the more the money remains in Ghana; the more you will entrench your culture,” he told host, Abrantepa.

“What South Africa has done tells me that they are interested in developing their culture and music industry. This is not new. I have been talking about this for the past thirty years but as you know, we love everything that is foreign,” Rex Omar added.

Over the years, many musicians have called on radio presenters to help promote local songs by giving them rotation.

Rex Omar who is one of such musicians asserted that law enforcement has been the challenge since there is an already existing legislation. He mentioned that the Ghana Music Right Owners (GHAMRO), has started putting measures in place to ensure that radio stations pay royalties for the songs they play. According to him, radio stations will by this have to choose between paying more for foreign songs and less for local ones.

“In Ghana, we don’t respect our laws. There is a regulation that 70% Ghanaian music should be played but who follows? Nobody cares… More radio stations don’t pay royalties. They just play the songs; they don’t log in. Now that the law is being enforced, if you want to pay royalties to foreign artistes, go ahead. You will pay more for playing foreign songs than local songs. For me, it doesn’t make sense,” he noted.

Credit: Pulse Ghana