On Tuesday, October 27, Dr Richardson Commey Fio, the Head of Culture at Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, called on entertainers to guard against misleading the youth with their celebrity status. He said that the influence of creatives extends beyond music and film, shaping how an entire generation speaks, dresses and behaves.
In an interview with the Graphic Showbiz, Dr Commey Fio stressed that fame should go hand‑in‑hand with good character and responsible conduct. He warned that young people are quick to copy the lifestyles, speech and behaviour of entertainers they admire. “Society cannot ‘celebrate’ you when your fame rather misleads your followers, particularly young people, to act in ways that undermine the cultural values, norms and virtues of the people,” he said.
He noted that musicians, in particular, hold a pivotal place in Ghanaian society because of their power to shape public opinion, influence social behaviour and contribute to national development. Their influence reaches beyond music to fashion, lifestyles, public statements and how they treat others. “If a musician uses insults in a lot of his conversations, there is a likelihood that a lot of young people who look up to this musician will also do the same,” he added.
Dr Commey Fio called for a broader conversation about the role of creatives in national development, especially as Ghana seeks to involve the youth in every developmental discussion. He recalled how the country’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, relied on musicians to rally support for the Convention People’s Party in the 1950s, and how Concert Party performances were used to explain government policies to communities. “Sometimes, the positions musicians take on development decisions go a long way to influence the citizens who follow them,” he said.
He urged creatives to partner with relevant organisations to help raise responsible young people, warning that failing to promote good character could carry consequences for the country’s future. The call comes as Ghana works to prepare the next generation for leadership roles.
