Veteran Ghanaian gospel artiste Stella Aba Seal has raised concern about what she sees as a growing disregard for industry trailblazers, saying many young musicians use her songs without seeking permission.
Speaking on Onua Showtime, she described the practice as painful and discouraging.
“They don’t ask for permission before using my songs,” she said.
Stella Aba Seal noted that the issue reflects a wider problem in Ghanaian society. She argued that honouring pioneers is not deeply rooted in the national culture and that the situation is evident across creative fields.
She pointed out that while sports personalities sometimes receive public recognition, music, acting and boxing often overlook the contributions of veterans.
“In Ghana, honouring is not part of our culture. We don’t respect trailblazers and pathfinders. It happens rarely, unlike in sports where international footballers have built houses for communities and offered support,” she stated.
According to her, veteran artistes are sometimes labelled as attention seekers when they raise concerns.
“When you try to correct them for not relating properly to grown adults, they say you just want to trend, even when you are old enough to give birth to them and they met you at the workplace,” she added.
She stressed that older musicians laid the foundation for much of what exists today. “We have done a lot of education on telling people to appreciate us after inviting us because we pay for our recordings ourselves.”
Comparing Ghana with Nigeria, Stella Aba Seal praised the culture of respect she observes among Nigerian creatives. “In Nigeria, young actors and musicians visit legends with gifts and receive blessings. In Ghana, it’s only Nana Ama McBrown that I have seen replicating that,” she said.
She further expressed frustration at how young artistes handle the use of veteran songs: some do not call before using them, others record first and only inform the owners when they are set to release. “Sometimes, you only see that they have already done it without your permission,” she revealed.
Stella Aba Seal also offered a spiritual caution, noting that actions have consequences.
“There are laws governing this universe: spiritual laws, physical laws, and universal laws, and they work. If I don’t say anything, the laws in the air will deal with you. If I say ‘hmmmm’, the laws God has placed in the air will still work,” she cautioned.
She referred to the principles of sowing and reaping and karma. “One of the laws is: what you sow is what you will reap. Karmic laws work. It doesn’t matter how much you pray, speak in tongues, or apply grace, karma will catch up with you. If not today, then tomorrow,” she said.
Wrapping up her message to the younger generation, she urged them to stay mindful of their actions.
“As humans, we must do good.”
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