Ghanaian broadcaster and voice-over artiste Jay Foley has urged local voice-over artistes to digitise their voices. This initiative aims to leverage emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and create new income streams.
Foley explained that current AI platforms have limited Ghanaian language vocabulary. This limitation makes accurate pronunciation of local words challenging. Digitising Ghanaian voices would fill this gap and offer a competitive advantage in the global market. It also addresses the significant underrepresentation of Ghanaian accents on these platforms.
This call comes as Ghana actively develops its national AI strategy. The government seeks to integrate AI into various sectors of the economy. Embracing AI in the creative industry aligns with broader efforts to modernise and diversify Ghana’s economic base. Data from various forecasts suggest the global AI market could reach over $1 trillion by 2030, with significant portions dedicated to AI-generated content services. Ghanaian artistes are missing out on a large and growing market. The move could boost their earnings significantly.
“The AI platforms created about two or three years ago show Ghana has jumped in so late,” Foley stated during a discussion on Joy FM’s 'Showbiz A-Z'. He added, “You don’t have Ghanaian voice-over artistes on these AI platforms.” Foley, who serves as the General Manager for 3Music TV, urged artistes to seize this opportunity. He believes this will establish a recognisable community of Ghanaian voices in the digital space. He also highlighted his own successful monetisation using AI, earning revenue from his cloned voice being used for commercials without his physical presence.
This development suggests a major shift in the voice-over industry. Artistes who embrace voice digitisation could see increased earnings and global reach. Decision-makers and industry bodies will likely observe the adoption rate and economic impact of this new revenue model. It signifies a move away from traditional agency-dependent work towards more direct, technology-driven income streams. The potential for GHS millions in new revenue streams could transform the local creative economy.