Ghanaian musicians to have professional training

Accra (Greater Accra), 5 Mar. '99 -

Ghanaian musicians will now have the opportunity to improve upon their skills through the provision of professional training facilities by the Paris-based International Federation of Musicians (FIM). The federation will also monitor the music industry for royalty due them in foreign countries. Alhaji Sidiku Buari, President of the Musicians Union Of Ghana (MUSIGA), told a press conference in Accra on Thursday that this follows a contract he signed on behalf of the union at an African regional seminar in Cote d'Ivoire last month. He said participants agreed to introduce the banderole system in all African countries to combat piracy after he presented a paper on the subject at the seminar. "Participants were impressed with the strides Ghana has made in the area of copyright protection and the fight against piracy, especially with the introduction of the banderole. Some African countries do not have the banderole at all." Alhaji Buari said MUSIGA is for every musician and not for a particular group of people or professionals. Nana Ampadu, General-Secretary of MUSIGA, said the aim of the union is to encourage young people with potential to come into the industry. "We don't have to wait until a child is 18 years and above before he is given the chance to perform and be a member of the union. Some of us started performing when we were under-18." The new executives earlier on paid a courtesy call on Mr Ebo Hawkson, deputy chairman of the National Commission on Culture. Mr Hawkson told them that the music industry should not be taken for granted, saying music can contribute a lot in terms of revenue and economic development.