Gyakie performs at Global Citizen Festival | credit: @glblctzn/Instagram
Gyakie performs at Global Citizen Festival | credit: @glblctzn/Instagram

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Big Ideaz Consult, a local partner of the recently-held Global Citizen Festival in Accra, Kojo Poku, has revealed none of the artistes billed for the event was paid a performance fee.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Poku told 3FM that the artistes felt the need to support a benevolent cause worth more than any money that could be paid to them.

“I have to say that no artiste was paid a performance fee for this. Everyone who mounted the stage did so out of the benevolence of their heart, and the Global Citizen cause is bigger than how much you’ll make out of a performance on that stage.”

Asked what the organisers considered before arriving at the choice of artistes to perform, Mr Poku responded saying:

“In terms of choice of acts, we gave our recommendation on who we think fits what they were looking for, but the final decision as to who will mount the stage was up to the Global Citizen talent team to decide and choose. A lot of names were mentioned. A lot of artistes were sent to them, and they made their choice based on several criteria.

“What we must understand is that Global Citizen is an NGO and so an NGO, they look out for certain things. Your energy must match their energy. Your outlook out there must be very positive and must reflect what they stand for. If it’s an NGO that supports a certain kind of course and you the artiste are against such a cause, it would be improper for them to put you on their stage.”

He, however, revealed a chunk of the budget was spent on the workers who dedicated their time to making the event a huge success.

On Saturday, September 24, 2022, the Black Star Square came alive with amazing performances from top-notch artistes including Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Usher, SZA, Gyakie, Stormzy, Yaw TOG, Kwesi Arthur, Pheelz, Oxlade and Tiwa Savage.

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