Ghanaian comic actor Richard Kweku Asante, widely known as Kalybos, recently called upon bloggers and musicians in the country to unite in support of the digitalization agenda being championed by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This appeal was made during a dinner meeting organized by the Ghana Bloggers Association in conjunction with a group dedicated to Bawumia’s campaign. The central theme of the discussions revolved around the transformative role that digitalization could play in enhancing Ghana’s creative and tech industries, creating a platform for collaboration among various sectors.
In his address, Kalybos underscored the importance of musicians aligning themselves with Bawumia’s vision, particularly highlighting how digitalization could improve the operations of the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO). By adopting modern technology, he argued, GHAMRO would be better equipped to efficiently collect music royalties, thereby ensuring that artists receive fair compensation for their creative efforts. Kalybos emphasized the critical need for the creative sector to embrace digital tools and practices, asserting that their collective support for Bawumia could lead to tangible benefits across the industry.
Kalybos also turned his attention to bloggers, stressing the immense potential that the digitalization agenda holds for their community. He posited that backing Bawumia’s initiative would not only amplify their audience reach but also improve access to advanced digital infrastructure. This advancement could significantly enhance the blogging landscape in Ghana and allow bloggers to tap into the global digital marketplace. Kalybos highlighted how pivotal it is for the blogging industry to secure new avenues for content dissemination, thereby gaining international recognition and prominence in the digital sphere.
Additionally, Kalybos praised Bawumia’s commitment to the creation of a Digital Ambassador role, which is designed to focus on developing foreign markets for Ghanaian digital talents and products. He argued that this initiative is crucial for promoting Ghanaian creativity on a global scale and bolstering the country’s presence in the digital economy. Kalybos’s remarks urged creatives and digital professionals within Ghana to stand behind such initiatives, as they could lead to expanded opportunities and greater visibility for their work on international platforms.
Furthermore, Kalybos expressed his support for Bawumia’s plan to train approximately one million youth in digital skills as a solution to unemployment in the country. He emphasized that equipping young Ghanaians with the necessary digital expertise will not only create job opportunities but also foster innovation within the digital sector, ultimately benefiting professionals in various creative fields including blogging and music. He reiterated the direct advantages that such training could provide to the broader digital community, encouraging collective advocacy for skills development initiatives.
In concluding his address, Kalybos called for the urgent need to advance Ghana’s digital infrastructure. Drawing comparisons to Nigeria, where the presence of major entertainment platforms like Netflix and Amazon has spurred the growth of the local entertainment and tech industries, he insisted that similar agencies should be established in Ghana. He firmly stated that for the country to progress meaningfully in the digital arena, it is essential to create local hubs and support systems for creative industries. Kalybos ultimately urged his peers in the creative and digital sectors to rally behind Bawumia’s digitalization agenda as a crucial move towards achieving a digitally empowered Ghana.
