Broadcaster and co-founder of music streaming service, Aftown, has dispelled the notion that GMX (Ghana Music Xperience) App is the first Ghanaian music streaming platform.
Antoine said although he supports the plurality of local businesses, the fact that his streaming app Aftown is the first to have emerged in Ghana by Ghanaians, cannot be erased.
“I saw the tagline of GMX being promoted as the very first from our end. Like I said in the beginning there is nothing wrong with new ones coming into the market but tagging it as the first, I personally felt like it’s not the right tag.
“They need to rephrase that. So internally, between me and my partners, we were like ‘Really?’ If you are bringing a new platform, there is nothing wrong with that but let’s tag it right.”
Antoine Mensah
Launched in October 2016, Aftown is a company that consists of two main platforms: streaming and downloads. The Aftown app is free and generates revenue through premium subscriptions and advertisements from free users.
It is currently the top indigenous music streaming and download site in West Africa. Aftown encourages users to support indigenous artists by avoiding piracy and streaming local content. Artists gain revenue from their total play counts.
Antoine’s comment comes on the back of the launch of the GMX music streaming platform at the De Icon Centre in Accra on October 30, 2024.
The platform owned by Omni Strategies, is being operated with support from the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture.
Present at the launch, Dr. Bawumia expressed his hope of helping boost the music business in Ghana with the partnership.
Also speaking at the launch was the General Manager of Omni Strategies, the owners of the Ghana Music Experience, Ato Aduenu Tandoh called on stakeholders of the music industry and music consumers to help make the app achieve its aims.
The Ghana Music Experience will be operational from January 2025.
Netizens Slam Bawumia Over Streaming Platform
Some social media users have criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia following the launch of the Ghana Music Experience App.
The streaming platform aims to promote Ghanaian music locally and internationally while ensuring fair compensation for all stakeholders in the music value chain.
The event brought together industry executives, musicians, policymakers, and media representatives.
However, the app and its launch have faced significant social media backlash, particularly on X.
Many Ghanaians have expressed frustration and skepticism regarding the timing and relevance of the app amidst the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
Critics have argued that focusing on digital initiatives like the GMX App is misplaced, given the economic pressing issues, and does little to address the nation’s fundamental problems.
These reactions come amid the launch of other apps, such as Go Ride, a ride-hailing service for taxi drivers, and Citizens App, all of which have faced harsh criticism from netizens.
“So Bawumia ein digitalization all be apps? No backbone, no infrastructure, no data centers, just flutter apps.”
@saviour123
“I know someone in a European country who paid for express and renewed her passport in 8 hours. You will pay for express in Ghana and it will still take you 6 months, and 14 trips to the passport office But Bawumia thinks digitalization means ripping off existing apps.”
@enyonvm
“What’s funny about all Bawumia’s app launching facade is that most of the people present during the launching event cannot attach a PDF file to an email.”
@sayhameed
“The apps launched by Dr Bawumia could be a scheme to loot funds from us. The apps are so abstract and solve no real time problem. He’s living in another Ghana.”
@ghanamunsemsem_
“The fact that he’s launching apps with no proper foundations, or infrastructure in place to ensure the success of these apps should tell us exactly what kind of person Bawumia is.”
@King_Sey_
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