Sound engineer Hammer says 85.4% of surveyed Ghanaian musicians have no pension plan, while Sarkodie confirms the call that launched his career.

Published 10 Nov 2026, 08:46 GMT

3 min read

Music producer Hammer of The Last Two — Hammer of The Last Two

Listen to this article

Playback position

0:002:57

Playback speed

Veteran Ghanaian music producer Hammer of The Last Two says a bank teller has better retirement security than most local artistes because the country's music sector is poorly organised.

Speaking on the *Konnected Minds* podcast, the sound engineer, born Edward Nana Poku Osei, responded to survey data showing that 85.4 per cent of surveyed Ghanaian musicians do not contribute to any registered pension scheme, echoing concerns that most Ghanaian musicians earn little from their craft.

"They don't have the money for the pension scheme. You're better off as a teller at a bank."

"You will be more consistent with your pension scheme payments than a musician," Hammer said.

"A successful musician, how many are there in Ghana? Successful musicians in Ghana are a handful," he asked.

He explained that the few artistes who achieve stability rely on public goodwill rather than formal industry systems. "They are being patronised."

"And they are surviving in the absence of an industry. They are doing their own thing," he added.

On the same podcast episode, Hammer recounted how he discovered rapper Sarkodie early in his career after hearing his lyrical dexterity on Adom FM's *Kasahare* freestyle programme.

Sarkodie in sunglasses — Sarkodie — Credit: MyJoyOnline

"Sark is the only one that I called. I was fascinated with his wordplay on Adom."

"I was like, whoa. He's a full package."

"He just needed somebody like a coach," Hammer recalled, comparing the young rapper's talent to boxer Mike Tyson.

Hammer said his live call into the radio studio caused a stir when host Duncan realised who was on the line.

"I said, 'Yeah, this is Hammer, come and see.' It was pandemonium."

"It went crazy there," he said, adding that he hung up and later telephoned Sarkodie directly.

"One phone call changed everything. The first time Hammer called me, he asked me to come to his studio."

"I had no idea how I was going to get from Tema to Accra, but I knew one thing for sure: not going was never an option. And the rest, as they say, is history," he wrote.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

&#39;You&#39;re better off as a bank teller than a musician&#39; – Hammer on artistes and pensions

Suggested for you

More Stories

Peki SHS student dies after alleged dormitory altercation

Fuel collection at tanker crash scenes could turn deadly in seconds – Jinapor

NPP is not genuinely interested in accountability in the SA evacuation – Brako-Powers

Mahama directs Roads Minister to mark designated contraflow lanes in Accra &#8211; Ayariga

Makeup Ghana, University of Ghana launch first beauty and wellness industry report

Tiwa Savage gives Siifa’s ‘Slim Girl’ the superstar stamp of approval

Discussion

'You're better off as a bank teller than a musician' – Hammer on artistes and pensions

Mahama directs Roads Minister to mark designated contraflow lanes in Accra – Ayariga