Ghanaian musician William Ansah, known in showbiz as Wan-O, has revealed that he earns up to GH₵30,000 monthly from selling CDs of his own music at the Accra Mall.

Speaking to Doreen Avio and Kwame Dadzie on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, Wan-O said he makes more money from selling physical CDs than he does from streaming platforms.

“In a month I can make about 20,000 to 30,000 cedis from my CD sales,” he said. “I [go to the place] every day.”

According to him, he has sold over one million CDs since he started selling at the Mall ten years ago. He emphasised the importance of strategy and planning in his approach to physical sales.

“I don’t just put singles on it. I create an album, I put a marketing plan together. I treat my act like I am running a label,” Wan-O noted.

Comedian Lekzy DeComic had earlier reignited the conversation about physical music sales in a recent Facebook post. After witnessing unauthorised vendors selling CDs and pen drives loaded with Ghanaian songs in traffic, he questioned why musicians were not doing the same.

“If people are out here selling musicians’ songs on CDs and pen drives and I just saw a few cars actually buying from one guy, then why aren’t musicians themselves selling CDs anymore?” he asked.

Lekzy argued that streaming has not reached every corner of the Ghanaian market and that physical formats such as CDs and pen drives still have a place in the ecosystem.

“Charley, not everyone understands this streaming thing, so others are cashing in big time,” he wrote.

Speaking on Daybreak Hitz, Lekzy further proposed that the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) could consider licensing CD and pen drive vendors so their operations could be legalised and monetised for the benefit of musicians.

This suggestion drew mixed reactions from industry players. Rapper Okyeame Kwame responded with a strong rebuttal on Facebook, arguing that piracy undercuts the significant investments musicians make in production and promotion.

“The pirate guy didn’t pay 10,000 cedis to record one song; 50,000 for video; 50,000 for promo; 20,000 for paid ads on socials; 20,000 for social media content; 10,000 for blogs; 10,000 for song release and listening. So he can press CDs at home and stand by the corner and steal from the creative,” he wrote.

He further explained that most musicians avoid printing CDs because of economic limitations, not unwillingness.

“The argument is in why the musician will not press CDs? He knows he cannot sell 1,000 copies. The fewer CDs he sells, the higher the cost of production. So he sells the music digitally. Sustainable business is done through economics of scale,” he added.

Kwame challenged critics to try selling physical products themselves if they believe in the model: “So, my bro, pls create a comedy series and put it on CDs and come back.”

He also noted that while niche products like vinyls may justify physical production, mainstream music distribution is more sustainable in the digital space due to cost, reach and logistics.

Also speaking to the topic on Hitz FM, creative entrepreneur Robert Klah acknowledged the merits of both formats and said: “The call is not to scrap streaming of music but to add CDs and pen drives to music consumption options.”

The debate reflects a wider industry conversation about balancing traditional formats with modern digital tools. While streaming offers reach, data, and global accessibility, physical formats provide tangible value, direct fan engagement, and unique monetisation opportunities. 

The challenge for many artists lies in understanding their audience and adopting the most practical and profitable approach for their market.