Ghanaian singer and rapper Edem has disclosed that the global scene emphasizes collaboration over competition.

He spoke on his general overview of the global scene as opposed to the local one. According to him, most of them approach features with a collaborative mindset rather than a competitive one.

“People on the global scene are more interested in collaborations than competition,” he said.

The ‘Ghetto Arise’ singer further added that expertise, qualifications, and knowledge in the music field are the key criteria for global collaboration.

“People also don’t give you opportunities based on who they think you are, what you think you do, where you think you are from but just purely on what you are capable of doing,” he opined.

The artist also noted that opportunities in business are not determined by a person’s background or origins, instead, they are solely based on a person’s capabilities.

In international business settings, Edem observed that there are no preconceived notions or stereotypes about individuals. People are evaluated solely based on the value they bring to the table and their ability to deliver.

“There are also no preconceived notions of somebody having a certain mind for you when they come to you to do business; it is purely based on the value to be exchanged. It’s not about the perception of where you come from; it’s just about what you want to achieve and how you want to go about it,” he said.

Edem also stressed that, with the right connections and in the right environment, some goals that are perceived as unattainable can be achieved.

Edem’s insights join a wider debate on the state of the Ghanaian music industry and how it can be improved.

Many stakeholders have accused artists of not doing enough to better their crafts, but many artists and creatives have also fought back, citing a lack of support and unnecessary comparisons to their counterparts.

Better Alternatives To Demonstrations

Edem called for a shift in how Ghanaians express their discontent with the nation’s leadership.

The “Ma Cherie” hitmaker noted the trend of there being a change in government after a major demonstration, but the underlying problems still persist, forcing citizens to come out and demonstrate again.

“We are all facing harsh conditions in the country. Since independence, there have been about 16 demonstrations. And anytime there has been a demonstration, power changes hands, a new government comes into power, and there is another demonstration,” he said.

He called for alternatives, such as written treaties stating the demands of the youth, which would have to be followed by anyone in government. This, he believes, would help solve the problems and reduce the need for demonstrations.

“We have to, aside from the demonstration find new innovative ways to register our displeasure. There is a group of young people who go for the demonstration. We could sit at the table and say, ‘We are coming up with a treaty’ and present this to parliament, and say, ‘We, as a youth of this country, this is the requirement we want, no matter who comes into power’.
“If we have long-term plans for the demonstrations, that would really be dope. If not, my daughter does not care about the demonstrations because she is 2 years old, but 20 years later, if there are hardships in the country, she will still go out and demonstrate again.”
Edem

Edem’s comments come in light of the series of demonstrations that have rocked the country against the current economic hardships and accusations of mismanagement by the current government.

However, Edem believes that people must not be forced to join a cause especially when they have their own ideologies and can decide for themselves.

“That’s a certain level of psychological bullying of somebody who is an individual…If you believe that you have to bully an artist to go for a demonstration, do you also believe that an artist should bully you for you to attend their concert?” he quizzed

“Because when it is time for their concert and they tell you, you tell them that ‘I don’t have money for it’ and so you cannot bully an artist. I’m sure that the ones who also went, some of them had backlash that they went for PR and so the truth is that you cannot live up to people’s expectations,” Edem noted.

He said that people should not be seen at demonstration grounds because they have been forced to appear but because they have demands and are personally connected to the cause.

More recently was the #OccupyJulorbiHouse which saw participation from a number of artists in Ghana like EL, Stonewboy, Kwaw Kese, M.anifest, Efia Odo, Worlasi, Pure Akhan, Cina Soul, Kelvyn Boy and many others.