Audio By Carbonatix
Tanzania's Arts and Information Minister Harrison Mwakyembe has dismissed a new song by rapper Roma Mkatoliki which criticises the government, saying the musician "lacks the academic credentials" to question state policies.
"You can criticise but you should have the knowledge and education to qualify to be a critic. You can't citicise someone like me, for example, if you have primary school education. I have four degrees," Mr Mwakyembe told journalists.
Roma, whose real name is Ibrahim Mussa, is known for his political activism - his new song is called Anaitwa Roma, Swahili for "They call him Roma".
In it he lambasts the government's decision last year to deploy the army to buy cashew nuts from farmers as a way of trying to force middlemen to increase their prices. The policy, critics say, did not work.
Roma also criticises President John Magufuli's push to revive the national airline Air Tanzania, saying it would have been better to improve healthcare.
He also criticises Tanzanians for not joining a call for protests against President Magufuli's policies.
The music video has got more than 500,00 views and 3,000 comments since it was uploaded on YouTube three days ago.
Many of his fans are praising him but some are worried about his safety, telling him to be careful.
The musician was kidnapped and held for three days, along with other artists, in 2017.
He told journalists after he was freed that he had been tortured.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Beyond Personal Choice: Understanding the Social and Environmental Drivers of Overweight and Obesity in Ghana
3 minutes -
Political influence turned galamsey into a monster – Former CJ Sophia Akuffo
4 minutes -
ECOWAS urges restraint amid escalating tensions in Gulf region
7 minutes -
Liberia Embassy engages Ghana authorities over death of citizen in Accra
9 minutes -
Pedestrian struck by vehicle at Pokuase Interchange amid streetlight concerns
16 minutes -
Fact Check: Mahama’s claim that over one million people found employment from 2025 Q1 to Q3 is false
17 minutes -
Health Directorate cracks down on staff absenteeism to boost performance
21 minutes -
Global InfoAnalytics poll tips NDC’s Baba Jamal to win Ayawaso East by-election with 75%
27 minutes -
Ghana eyes West Africa aviation hub as Ambassador Victor Smith engages US helicopter giant
31 minutes -
Lordina Mahama advocates for safer childbirth
42 minutes -
TMA begins poultry distribution to boost food security
59 minutes -
Interior Minister receives Gbenyiri Mediation Committee report on Gonja-Birifor conflict 
1 hour -
Lordina Foundation builds and hands over ultramodern maternity and children’s ward to Asukawkaw Clinic
1 hour -
Former CJ on Dubai lesson and why Ghana must build its own gold market
1 hour -
Former MCE, 8 others granted GH¢800k bail over fraudulent sale of government land
1 hour
