By: Sulaiman Aruna Sesay

Sierra Leone music has a lot of potentials, but there are barriers and hindrances to the growth and development of the industry. These hindrances can be attributed to a variety of factors ranging from structural to socio-cultural challenges that are preventing Sierra Leonean music from reaching its full potential.

One of the significant factors hindering Sierra Leone music is the lack of funding and support for the industry. The Sierra Leonean government has not invested enough resources in the development of the creative sector, including the music industry. There is a lack of dedicated infrastructure, resources, funds, and support for the music industry to grow and compete globally. Without adequate investment, musicians in Sierra Leone are unable to produce high-quality music, boost their visibility and develop the necessary skills and industry networks needed to succeed.

Another challenge is piracy. Piracy in Sierra Leone music industry is a significant issue that is hindering musicians from earning adequate income from their creative works. Music theft is common in Sierra Leone, and the absence of effective regulations to curb this menace is affecting the music industry’s growth. This discourages young and upcoming artists from pursuing a career in the industry, leading to a reduction in the number of artists and low-quality music production.

The lack of industry standards, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms to protect intellectual property rights of artists is a significant challenge to the growth of the Sierra Leone music industry. The availability of cheap alternatives for downloading music legally and illegally makes it difficult for musicians to generate income from their creative works. This leads to decreased incentives for musicians to invest time and energy into creating new music and may force them to work in other industries, reducing the pool of talent in the Sierra Leone music industry.

There are socio-cultural factors that are hindering the growth of the Sierra Leone music industry. The emphasis on foreign music rather than local content by most Sierra Leoneans is problematic as it makes it difficult for local musicians to compete in the industry. There is also the issue of tribalism in the industry, where certain music genres and artists are favoured over others based on ethnic affiliations, rather than talent and merit.

It is clear that the Sierra Leone music industry has a lot of potentials. However, a variety of factors such as the lack of funding, piracy, and inadequate intellectual property rights protection are hindering its growth. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts and collaboration between policymakers, industry stakeholders, artists, and the general public. The government must provide support for the industry, establish regulations, and enforce laws that protect musicians’ intellectual property rights. Moreover, efforts should be made to promote and encourage Sierra Leoneans to appreciate locally produced music to increase domestic demand. By addressing these hindrances, Sierra Leone can unlock the full potential and talents of its musicians, contributing meaningfully to the growth of the creative sector and the country’s economy.