Sierra Leone Alone Cannot Make Entertainers Rich- Says Ibrahim Koroma
By Edward Dictionary Caulker
Prominent entertainment journalist and media publicist Ibrahim Koroma (Prezo Koroma) has stated that Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry lacks the structural capacity to make local entertainers financially successful.
Speaking on Epic Radio’s Entertainment Review program, Koroma emphasized that unless artists push their content beyond national borders, wealth will remain out of reach.
“Sierra Leone as a country cannot make our entertainers rich,” Koroma said during the broadcast. “We find ourselves in an industry that is not structured. The industry itself cannot generate revenue; frankly speaking, it is not even a money-making industry.”
With over 15 years in the sector, Koroma has long been a key voice in the evolution of the country’s entertainment scene. He said that despite early momentum in the 2000s, the industry has failed to keep pace with global trends, resulting in stagnation and financial hardship for many artists.
He warned against comparing Sierra Leone’s entertainment scene to regional powerhouses like Nigeria and Ghana. “Their industries are structured, and their entertainers approach entertainment as a business. That’s why they are thriving globally,” he said.
Koroma also addressed the role of politics in the entertainment sector, arguing that political affiliations should not be used to justify the industry’s lack of development. “For the past 20 years, politicians have not supported entertainers. They make them vulnerable—especially if they are not dancing to their tunes,” he said.
Calling for a mindset shift among local artists, Koroma urged entertainers to treat their craft as a business. “Entertainment is a business, and entertainers must recognize this. If you don’t take heed, you’ll end up being a liability instead of leaving a legacy,” he concluded.
