Veteran musician George Jahraa opened up about the significant challenges he faced after endorsing an opposition party during the era of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Reflecting on his journey, Jahraa shared, “I joined a party, and with what I went through after endorsing them, it wasn’t easy,” in an interview with Adom FM.
He recounted the difficulties he encountered during his early career, particularly when he was invited to perform for a party while staying at his grandfather’s house in Kwadaso.
In the early 1990s, few artists were willing to associate themselves with the opposition, making Jahraa’s decision all the more daunting. He explained, “Since then, every song I did was not to be aired, and there was only one TV station at that time.”
This lack of exposure meant that Jahraa remained largely unseen until former President John Kufuor took office. “I stayed home until Kufuor came to power before my songs came out,” he lamented.
Despite his talent and efforts, Jahraa believes that political dynamics severely hampered his career. “If not that, I would have been on the international scene. I was all over Africa… my producer tried so well, but it didn’t happen,” he reflected.
He spoke of a particular experience where a show he participated in only received airtime for a short duration, stating, “The one I tried to put out, it went for only 2 months. It was later I got to know that the show I played was punishing me.”
Jahraa’s struggles illustrate the harsh realities musicians often face in politically charged environments. He poignantly remarked on the winner-takes-all mentality that pervades Ghana’s political landscape.
“I saw Busia, Acheampong, Akufo, and I saw Rawlings 1, Limann, and Rawlings 2… and that is how the power has been changing hands. Anyone in power can fight you, a musician,” he said, expressing his deep concern for those who choose to engage in politics.
His experiences serve as a cautionary tale for aspiring artists: “I was praying for the man to leave power… so if you are a musician and you are entering into that, you should know the country you are in.”
Many Ghanaian artists have faced backlash, censorship, and a lack of support from the media or industry players when they publicly endorse political parties or figures.
This political environment creates a climate of fear, where artists may hesitate to express their political views or support certain parties for fear of repercussions.
As a result, some musicians have found their careers stifled or sidelined due to their political affiliations, impacting their ability to reach broader audiences. O
Overall, the relationship between politics and the music industry in Ghana can be contentious, often hindering artists’ careers when they engage in political discourse or endorsements.
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