MUSIGA to honour Diana Hopson, Amandzeba, others

The Central Regional branch of the Musicians Association of Ghana (MUSIGA), is to honour musicians from the region, who have contributed to the development of the industry in the country, as part of activities to mark this year’s Fetu Afahye Bakatue scheduled for September 2.

Briefing the press on Tuesday in Cape Coast, the Regional MUSIGA President, John Victor Owusu, said those lined up for awards include Diana Hopson, President of MUSIGA, Nat Brew, alias Amandzeba, 2nd Vice President and Alfred B. Crentsil, 1st Vice President, as well as Slim Busterr, ace dancer and hip-life musician, among others.

Mr. Owusu said most of the MUSIGA executives, were natives of the Central Region, an indication that the region was endowed with talented musicians, who should be honoured for their contribution to the music industry in Ghana.

He explained that the award ceremony, which is being organized in collaboration with the Oguaa Traditional Council, was to encourage young musicians from the region, to strive for excellence.

He said the awards would be organized on rotational basis yearly, to create opportunities for the various traditional areas, to rake in some revenue for development, adding that about 40% of funds generated would be given to the traditional areas.

Mr. Owusu said the day would be also used to inaugurate a new office for the association, which was released to them by the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, as a way of promoting the activities of musicians in the region.

He thanked the Minister for the role he played in securing the new office at Heritage House, in Cape Coast. On copyright education, Mr. Owusu said the association had intensified its education among hoteliers, music spinners, drinking spots/bar operators, barbers and hairdressers.

He said since the operation started, it had registered more than 120 people, who were willing to pay yearly royalties on artistes’ works.

He said the exercise had already taken them to Elmina and Cape Coast, and is expected to be extended to Upper Denkyira on August 6.

Mr. Owusu appealed to the general public, to cooperate with the taskforce, which is made up of mostly females, and stop the verbal attacks on them.