Veteran Ghanaian gospel icon Stella Aba Seal has voiced her frustration over what she describes as a “painful and discouraging” culture of disregard for industry pioneers. Speaking on Onua Showtime in early December 2025, the “Gyem Taataa” hitmaker highlighted a recurring issue where younger musicians sample or cover her songs without seeking prior permission.
Key Concerns Raised:
- Unauthorized Usage: She revealed that many emerging artistes record or incorporate her classic songs into their works without any consultation. Often, she only discovers these infringements when the songs are already publicized or set for release.
- Lack of Honor: Seal argued that unlike in countries like Nigeria, where young creatives actively visit and honor legends with gifts and requests for blessings, Ghana lacks a deep-rooted culture of respecting “trailblazers and pathfinders.”
- Labeling Veterans: She expressed disappointment that older musicians are often dismissed as “attention seekers” or accused of “wanting to trend” when they attempt to offer guidance or correct the younger generation.
- Praise for Nana Ama McBrown: The veteran singer singled out actress and presenter Nana Ama McBrown as one of the few prominent figures in the Ghanaian industry who consistently demonstrates genuine respect and appreciation for pioneers.
Stressing the gravity of the situation, Stella Aba Seal invoked the concept of Karmic Law and the principle of “sowing and reaping.” She cautioned that regardless of religious devotion or “speaking in tongues,” there are universal laws that ensure actions have consequences.
“If I don’t say anything, the laws in the air will deal with you… It doesn’t matter how much you pray or apply grace, karma will catch up with you. If not today, then tomorrow.”
Her comments come at a time when Ghana’s music industry is grappling with structural weaknesses. Recent industry reports (December 2025) describe Ghana’s royalty collection regime as one of the weakest globally due to non-compliance by media houses.
In mid-2025, the government began considering updates to the Copyright Act to better protect creators in the digital distribution era and ensure fair remuneration.
