THE Head of Culture at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dr Richardson Commey Fio, has called on creatives to use their platforms and artistic works to protect Ghana’s cultural values, heritage and identity amid the growing influence of digital platforms and social media.
He said creativity should help preserve and promote the country’s cultural heritage rather than undermine the moral values, norms and virtues that define Ghanaian society.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, October 27, Dr Commey Fio said creatives, particularly musicians, had an important role to play in safeguarding Ghana’s cultural identity, especially among young people increasingly exposed to global digital content.
He said it was important to draw creatives’ attention to their influence on young people, who often looked up to them as role models.
“In a time when we are looking at safeguarding our culture from a lot of digital and social media influences, it is very important that we draw the attention of creatives to that sensitive role they play in influencing their following, especially the young people that follow them as their icons,” he said.
Dr Commey Fio noted that young people often copied the appearance and behaviour of musicians they admired, making the examples they set particularly significant.
“Any kind of lifestyle that is not good, or that our culture frowns upon, would definitely affect a lot of young people who are following these musicians as their icons,” he said.
He cited musicians’ hairstyles and stage outfits as examples of how their influence could shape young people’s fashion choices, adding that their conduct and public statements could also affect how their followers behaved. (Read Don’t mislead the youth — Dr Commey Fio to creatives)
“Similarly, if a musician misbehaves or speaks ill of leaders or other people, young people may adopt the same behaviour,” he said.
He stressed that artistic expression should contribute to building a responsible society and preserving the country’s cultural identity.
“What we create or produce as artists in general with our creativity should help build a responsible society where our cultural values, heritage and identity are upheld, appreciated and shared,” he said.
MUSIGA statement
His comments come amid a wider debate about the responsibilities of influential musicians following a caution from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) over public remarks that could be interpreted as glorifying online fraud and other cyber-related crimes.
In a statement signed by its president, Bessa Simons, MUSIGA acknowledged musicians’ right to comment on governance, unemployment, corruption and the fair administration of justice. However, it cautioned against statements that could appear to normalise fraud or discourage cooperation with lawful investigations.
The union also urged musicians to use their platforms to advocate opportunities for young people, promote digital skills and financial literacy, and speak against corruption and fraud.
Dr Commey Fio’s concerns extend beyond the immediate controversy, highlighting the broader responsibility of creatives to ensure that their work promotes Ghanaian cultural values rather than undermines them.
He believes creatives can help keep the country’s cultural heritage relevant to younger generations, even as digital platforms expose them to different lifestyles, attitudes and cultural influences.
For him, the challenge is to ensure that contemporary creative works contribute positively to society while promoting an appreciation of Ghana’s cultural heritage and identity.
