General News of Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Source: GNA

National Symphony Orchestra Needs Government Support

Accra, May 13, GNA - Mr Isaac Annoh, Director of Ghana National Symphony Orchestra (GNSO), on Wednesday appealed to the government to allocate funds for the development of the arts. Mr. Annoh told GNA in an interview that GNSO raises funds internally to support its activities and complained GNSO does not have a bus to convey its 45-member band to perform.

He said due to lack of funds, the band cannot record quality music for sale.

Mr. Annoh said GNSO could make money from copyrights when its music is promoted in the western world because the western world is willing to open its market to African music.

He said the GNSO would embark on a nation wide tour to raise money and awareness of classical music in Ghana to mark its 50th anniversary. Mr. Annoh said the aim of GNSO is to promote music in Africa and Ghana and to train children to play musical instruments, adding that research had shown children perform well academically when they are able to play musical instruments.