The Guinness Ghana DJ Awards, the nation’s premier celebration of DJ talent and culture, powered by Smirnoff, hosted the Accra edition of the Guinness Ghana DJ Clinic, held recently at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.

This was successfully empowered DJs with a well-resourced team of speakers.

Themed “Exploring the Business of Entertainment,” the workshop brought together professional and up-and-coming DJs, along with musicians from the Greater Accra region, for an educational and enlightening discussion.

This serves as a platform to shape the future of Ghana’s creative industry through impactful education. It underscores the commitment of Merqury Republic, organizers of the Guinness Ghana DJ Awards, to not only celebrate the achievements of DJs through the awards but also foster their professional growth and the development of the DJ industry. The event attracted DJs, music enthusiasts, and other creatives eager to learn, form partnerships, and enhance their businesses.

One of the key moments of the conference was a presentation by Antoine Mensah, a renowned New Media Consultant in Ghana, titled “The Business of Entertainment: Key Insights and Strategies.” He addressed key challenges in the entertainment industry and strategies to overcome them, emphasizing, “One of the primary goals of your business in entertainment should be longevity. For your talent or entertainment business to be sustainable, it must make business sense.”

Joyce Sackitey-Ahiadorme, President of Women in Public Relations Ghana, spoke on the importance of PR in elevating DJ brands. She stressed, “PR can change the perception of DJs and the role that they play in the entertainment industry. Through PR, Ghana can equally boast of the highest paying DJ in the world.”

Patrick Baa Abankwa, a renowned Chartered Banker, discussed pension and investment management, urging DJs to diversify their income through strategic investments. He noted, “DJing, like any other business, can come to an unexpected end, so it's crucial to invest wisely and ensure your money is working for you well in advance."

Olele Salvador, a TV host at 3 Music Network, highlighted the importance of business-focused collaborations between DJs and artistes, encouraging DJs to be valuable beyond just performing. He advocated for DJs to identify opportunities in their partnerships with artists. He also generated a transformative dialogue that allowed the participants to share their personal challenges.

Mr. Addo-Yobo, Greater Accra Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority, enunciated on the importance of reading for business growth in the creative industry. “Reading equips you with the knowledge needed to build a sustainable business in the creative field,” Mr. Addo-Yobo remarked, urging DJs to invest in continuous learning to advance their careers.

Reigning Female DJ of the Year, TMSKDJ, shared her journey, highlighting how the Guinness Ghana DJ Awards have increased female participation in the industry. She encouraged DJs to build unique identities, referencing her own masked persona as an example.

The event provided valuable networking opportunities for emerging DJs to connect with seasoned professionals like DJ Toyor and King Lagazee, who encouraged unity to drive the industry's growth.

The Accra edition of the Guinness Ghana DJ Clinic serves as a precursor to the 12th edition of the Guinness Ghana DJ Awards, set for November 9 at the Grand Arena in Accra. The event was supported by Korba, GhanaMusic, JoyPrime, Electroland Ghana and the Creative Arts Council of Ghana