Akiwumi says gospel musicians not breaking from MUSIGA

Osibisa shifts venue of concert in respect of Ga tradition

Accra (Greater Accra), 7^th May ‘99 –

Mrs. Diana Akiwumi, Vice-President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), on Thursday said Gospel musicians in the country are not breaking away from the union as speculated, but are planning to come together under an umbrella to enable them to address issues peculiar to them.

"Gospel musicians are not breaking away from MUSIGA, but want to come together because we have a lot in common. However, those in secular music think we are competing with them."

She told the committee probing the music industry in Accra, that gospel music, though lucrative is more of charity work because "we do not benefit from the shows we organise, even though, we incur the same debt as other musicians do for their shows."

She said gospel music is not a threat to secular music in any way because gate fees charged make it clear that "we do not commercialise our shows".

"The proceeds they get from our shows cannot even cater for the money we put into them."

Explaining the process of visa acquisition, she said obtaining visas depended on the embassies. She said a letter from the union does not help in any way but only identifies one as a musician.

"People think it is easy for musicians to travel abroad that is why they associate themselves with musicians to help them travel abroad".

She stressed that musicians who engage in such practices tarnish their own image, saying it will be very difficult for such persons to travel again.

Mrs. Akiwumi appealed to the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) to pay musicians royalties due them.

John Grahl, also known as "Waterproof", appeared before the committee and denied that he stormed the National Commission of Culture in anger at the committee's pronouncement that he should be arrested for not appearing before it.

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Accra (Greater Accra), 7^th May ‘99 –

Organisers of the Osibisa "Final Home-Coming Concert" said on Thursday that the scheduled out-door concert at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 7 has been moved to the National Theatre.

A statement issued in Accra said this is a sign of respect for traditional norms and practice to prevent out-door noise making at this period in certain parts of Accra.

"It is also to forestall any international embarrassment that the nation stands to suffer if the concert, featuring artists, who have been specially flown in from other countries, is cancelled at the very last hour of preparations."

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