Stella Seal Hits Out At Gospel Acts Using Her Songs Without Permission

Veteran Ghanaian gospel artiste Stella Aba Seal has expressed concern over what she sees as a growing lack of respect for industry pioneers, highlighting that many young gospel musicians record or perform her songs without seeking permission.

Speaking on Onua Showtime, Stella described the practice as both painful and discouraging.

“They don’t ask for permission before using my songs. Some don’t call at all, while others only inform you after the song is recorded and ready for release. Sometimes, you only realize it after the fact,” she revealed.

She noted that the issue reflects a broader cultural problem in Ghana, where honoring trailblazers in creative industries is often overlooked. While sports personalities sometimes receive public recognition, musicians, actors, and boxers rarely get the respect they deserve.

“In Ghana, honoring pioneers isn’t part of our culture. We rarely see it in music or acting, unlike sports where footballers, for example, build houses for communities and support others,” she said.

Stella also lamented that veteran artistes are sometimes labeled as attention seekers when they speak out about such issues.

“When you try to correct younger artists for not showing proper respect, they may accuse you of just trying to trend—even though you are old enough to be their parent and have worked alongside them,” she added.

She emphasized that older musicians have laid the foundation for the industry and invest heavily in their craft. “We pay for our recordings ourselves and work hard to educate people on the importance of acknowledging us,” she said.

Comparing Ghana to Nigeria, Stella praised the respect shown to legends by young creatives in Nigeria. “Young Nigerian actors and musicians often visit legends with gifts and receive blessings. In Ghana, Nana Ama McBrown is one of the few who does this,” she noted.

Her sentiments were echoed by the gospel trio Daughters of Glorious on Facebook, who wrote:

“You couldn’t have said this any better. Instead of showing honor, some even compete. Let’s find a better way to reach out to song owners before remixing their songs. We love hearing new renditions, but seeking permission doesn’t hurt. May God bless us all. 🙏🏾”