Set up a Music Industry Co-ordinating Board - Obetsebi Lamptey

Accra, March 7, GNA - Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City, on Tuesday called for the establishment of a Music Industry Coordinating Board to replace the current National Music Council.

This, he said, would provide a platform for all players in the industry to brainstorm on issues that would move the music industry forward, as recent misunderstanding in the industry were due to poor communication.

A statement signed by Ms Victoria Antwi Sarpong, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, said the Minister made the call at stakeholders meeting to map out strategies to move the industry forward. According to the statement, Mr Obetsebi Lamptey said music was a tourist product that could be promoted to draw other nationals to study and enjoy, hence the need for research to provide the Government with the relevant data to justify the music industry's role in national development.

"Government will be interested to know how much foreign exchange the industry generates, the number of people engaged in the sector by way of employment, how many people visit the country to study African music and so on", it said.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey, the statement said, indicated his plans to promote live shows in the country and stressed the need to use appropriate equipment and expertise since: "There are a lot of musicians out there, but the need to bring professionals into the industry is paramount."

The statement said Mr Obetsebi Lamptey reiterated that the country's 50th anniversary celebration would be tied in with the "Joseph Project" to attract more tourists and he therefore urged musicians to take advantage of the opportunity to make an impact in the industry.

The Minister pledged to support the enforcement of the Copyright Right Law to protect artists both locally and internationally and urged the industry to join the international wagon as music was becoming a sophisticated product that could be transferred through communication. Those present at the meeting included Professor George Hagan, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, President of the Musicians Association of Ghana (MUSIGA), Professor J.H Nketia and Rex Omar, both musicians, and M.G Mohammed of GOSGA.