Abeiku Santana, a prominent radio host on Okay FM and an NDC activist, has stirred controversy following his remarks on the newly launched music streaming app by the NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The app, designed to empower Ghanaian musicians by enhancing their revenue potential, has been dismissed by Santana as “useless.” The former NDC parliamentary aspirant argues that Ghana’s music industry does not need such a platform, especially as neighboring Nigeria, with its significantly larger industry, lacks a similar initiative.
Speaking at an NDC event in Kumasi focused on the entertainment sector’s support for John Mahama, Santana’s critique was met with pushback as attendees and social media users pointed out contradictions in his logic. He acknowledged Nigeria’s advantage in industry size but still questioned the need for a Ghanaian music app, despite later advocating for a similar platform to support Ghana’s film industry. This perceived inconsistency has raised eyebrows, with many calling his comments both ironic and misguided.
Many Ghanaians took to social media to challenge Santana’s stance, questioning his credentials and suggesting his comments might be politically motivated. His opposition to the app has fueled suspicions that his political affiliations with the NDC are driving his criticism rather than genuine concern for the industry. Critics argue that his remarks are not only divisive but also counterproductive to the growth of Ghana’s entertainment sector, which could benefit from locally developed platforms that prioritize Ghanaian content creators.
