I’m a truck driver in America now – Pope Skinny

Pope Skinny has spoken on the exodus of Ghanaian artistes to the West.

“There is nothing in this country to secure the future of musicians,” he bemoaned. “This is why you’ll see creatives who are needy and asking for funds, especially in their old age. It’s not that they are irresponsible.”

“Our job doesn’t even come with SNNIT contributions,” he added.

“If you look at all these, you’ll advise yourself, leave and go pay your social security contributions in the West, where the scheme is not corrupt, and they’ll take care of you till you die,” Pope Skinny said.

The Hiplife star spoke to Nana Romeo on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo, Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

He lamented the creative arts systems in Ghana or the lack thereof make a musician’s life financially unbearable.

“If you don’t have a hit song, you will go hungry,” he said.

“Even if you save money, you’ll end up using the savings for paying music videos, and other logistics. Even if you get endorsement deals, how often will they come? Not everyone gets it too.”

Pope Skinny, here, strongly opposed the Food & Drugs Authority (FDA) ban on alcohol endorsement by celebrities, recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” he exclaimed, noting the immense financial benefits celebrities received in the days before the 2015 ban. He mentioned some of the top local alcohol beverage brands, testifying of the helpful deals they gave to him and others, and the events they organised or sponsored, keeping the entertainment industry vibrant and productive.

The Hot Cake hitmaker emphasised: “Since the leaders don’t really think about our welfare in this country, we’ll leave and go do jobs that may be below us – at least no one will see as doing it.”

“I drive a big truck in America,” Pope Skinny revealed. “I cannot do it in Ghana because I will be mocked.”