An association of songwriters and music composers was launched in Accra on Monday with the aim to defend the interest of members.

Mr Rex Omar, a founding member of the Songwriters and Performers Association,(SPAG) said the association had been registered with the assistance of Mr Faisal Helwani.

He said the SPAG would not interfere with the functions of the Musician Society of Ghana (MUSIGA), explaining that MUSIGA would take care of their trade union activities as musicians while the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) would handle the collection of royalties from users of their works.

SPAG would also co-ordinate the technical activities of songwriters and affiliate with international bodies, Mr Joe Mensah, also a founding member, said.

Mr Helwani, who has been in the music industry for the past 35 years, warned SPAG members never to allow ignorance and politics to interfere in their business.

Mr Ebow Hawkson of the National Commission on Culture, who presided, urged them to unite to protect their works.

The Prampram Traditional Council has announced that this year's Homowo Festival will be celebrated at Prampram on Tuesday, August 17.

A statement released to the GNA and signed by Nene Atsure Benta the third, Mankralo of the area, said this date supersedes all previous publications and announcements.