Award-winning Ghanaian rapper, Michael Addo popularly known as Sarkodie, has called for a deeper and more sustainable partnership between Ghana’s creative industry and the financial technology sector.

The rapper made the call on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on the management of MobileMoney Fintech Limited at the company’s head office in Accra to explore opportunities for collaboration beyond the conventional corporate sponsorship arrangement.

The meeting focused on how the two sectors could work together to promote financial inclusion, digital financial services and opportunities within Ghana’s growing creative economy.

The rapper acknowledged MobileMoney Fintech Ltd’s past support for his annual Rapperholic concert, but emphasised that his broader objective was to establish a long-term partnership that creates sustainable value for both the company and the creative industry.

“I am here today not like the usual business where we come and ask, ‘Can we get sponsorship for our show?’ and that’s it. It goes beyond just coming in and getting support,” Sarkodie said.

He pointed out that artistes and creative professionals maintain long-term visions for their careers including album releases, tours, brand initiatives, and community engagement programmes and argued that corporate partnerships should be structured around shared objectives.

Sarkodie proposed to use his upcoming campus tour as a platform for MobileMoney Fintech Ltd to engage directly with young people, raising awareness about the company’s new MoMo app and its comprehensive suite for financial services.

Welcoming Sarkodie and his team, the Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney Fintech Ltd, Mr Shaibu Haruna, described the visit as an important step towards strengthening the relationship between the creative and Fintech industries.

Mr Haruna explained that although MobileMoney Fintech Ltd was primarily a technology-driven company, its relationship with the entertainment industry remained strategic because of the enormous reach and influence of both sectors.

Both parties expressed commitment to future engagements to identify concrete areas of cooperation, focusing heavily on expanding financial inclusion, connecting young people to digital financial services, and accelerating the growth of Ghana’s creative economy.

By Linda Abrefi Wadie 

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The Black Star Experience Secretariat has announced a major comedy festival to herald Ghana’s 70th Independence anniversary celebration.

The festival is christened ‘Black Star Comedy Experience,’ and is slated for January 2, 2027, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).

The event, being organised in partnership with L’extase Limited and It’s Live Entertainment, is on the theme: ‘You’re Ghana Laugh.’

Speaking at the official launch last Thursday (September 24) at the Black Star Experience Secretariat, the Coordinator, Mr Rex Owusu Marfo, said the January 2 date was significant as it sets the tone for the 70th anniversary celebrations.

According to him, the comedy experience was part of deliberate efforts to support and elevate Ghana’s comedy industry.

“The Black Star Comedy Experience is not just a comedy show; it is a celebration of wit, storytelling, and cultural commentary,” Mr Marfo said.

He explained that the show was curated to showcase both established heavyweights and emerging stars from Ghana, Africa, and the diaspora.

The programme, he said, would have three segments: The Rising Stars, The Feature Acts, and The Host.

The Rising Stars segment will spotlight two promising local comedians, while The Feature Acts will feature seven established acts with different comedic styles. The Host segment will be led by a household name delivering interim jokes and smooth transitions.

Headliners for the night include Ghana’s Lekzy DeComic and Foster Romanus, UK-based stars Eddie Kadi, Slim and Kojo Anim, as well as Nigeria’s Klint Da Drunk, together with Parrot Mouth.

Mr Marfo said the Black Star Comedy Experience was created to fill a void in the market for high-quality, culturally relevant Ghanaian and African diasporan comedy for a global audience, while serving as a vehicle to push Ghanaian talents to wider markets.

He added that the inclusion of international acts will allow Ghanaian comedians to interact with their counterparts from outside and be exposed to different styles and audiences.

The event promises a night of non-stop laughter and high-energy entertainment as Ghana begins its journey to 70.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme 

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