Ghana did not utilise the Year of Return programme “well enough,” Bisa Kdei has said.

This “is the truth even though some people may be offended,” the Highlife star added.

He spoke on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo with host Nana Romeo.

“There’ve been instances where Nigerians came to Ghana and complained they couldn’t even hear Ghanaian songs,” Bisa Kdei explained. “People come to Ghana wanting to experience our culture and music but they come and hear Amapiano and Nigerian songs, what do you think they will take away with them?”

The Mansa hitmaker highlighted how “very big” the Year of Return and Beyond the Return programmes have been, and bemoaned why, in his view, Ghana has failed so far to “sell our culture – 100, 90 or 80 per cent”.

He worried about recreational centres promoting foreign songs, instead of music by Ghanaians.

Bisa Kdei observed this lack of promotion for Ghanaian music is why Ghana concerts are not well-attended, especially in the diaspora.

Another concern, he said, was “our promoters” who say things that hurt the industry.

“Things like: ‘No Ghanaian can sell the 02 Arena’,” he cited, asking: “Have you tried it?”

The singer-songwriter said he is in favour of making meaningful attempts as against making uninformed assumptions.

He emphasised the power of promoters to influence potential concertgoers against attending an event by their utterances.

“If a promoter sits on radio and says people won’t show up for a particular show, how do you expect anyone who listens to go?” he noted, advocating: “Let’s speak well about the industry and its players so blessings come upon us all.”

Reacting to opinions that Ghanaian songs are not good enough, he said: “Excuse me, but that’s very stupid. All the power is here, especially when it comes to Highlife. Why do you think people come here for motivation?”

Medaase is Bisa Kdei's latest.