Musicians to hold international workshop in Accra

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 9^th July '99

Plans are far advanced for an international workshop to be organised by the International Federation of Musicians in October this year in Accra.

The three-day workshop, on the development of musical trends in contemporary Africa, will help musicians in Ghana to share experiences with foreign artistes to improve on their works.

Alhaji Sidiku Buari, National President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), announced this at the Ashanti regional congress of the union in Kumasi on Wednesday.

He called on members to get ready for the programme, which would attract musicians from all over the world.

The president said a paper he presented at a forum of International Federation of Musicians in Abidjan on intellectual property rights contracts and anti-piracy activities was adopted unanimously by the forum and will be used as the African contract.

Alhaji Buari said his administration has started organising regional elections in a way to revive the dormant branches in the various regions and has so far covered Volta, Central,Eastern, Upper East and Northern regions.

He observed that there were many talented musicians in the Ashanti region but regretted that the region is not growing in terms of modern music.

Alhaji Buari said the future is bright for musicians and called for their massive support and co-operation.

Nana Kwame Ampadu, general secretary of the union, called on members to rally solidly behind the executives to raise the image of the music industry.

He said the union has come to seek the welfare of members but its efforts are being thwarted by a section of their members for their selfish gains.

Mrs. Diana Akiwumi, second vice-president of the union, asked the new executive to bring all musicians in the region under the union.

At the congress, a seven-member executive committee was elected with Nana Kusi Antobre, leader of Yerepemso Guitar Band, as chairman, Professor Kofi Abraham, vice-chairman, Ohene Asante, secretary, Mr I.K. Boakye-Danquah, assistant secretary, Mrs. Juliana Appiah, treasurer and Mr Charles Alfred Boateng, welfare officer.

Mr Kingsley Kwabena Onyina, the outgoing regional chairman, expressed his continued support for the executive and the union "so that together we would build a formidable union to help one another."

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