Musicians urged to be creative

Sunyani, Jan. 10 GNA - Mrs Diana Hopeson, National President of Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), on Wednesday urged members to be creative and to add value to their products.

Addressing the Brong Ahafo Regional Congress of the Union in Sunyani, she noted that the majority of members could not support themselves and thus become frustrated, "simply because they do not put the business aspect of their work in order.

Mrs Hopeson stated noted that many musicians entered the profession with the hope of becoming great musicians but because they only concentrated on performance they could not achieve this aim. She announced that the Union was working to acquire loans for members to expand their businesses, saying that the National Executive would do all it could to educate and create jobs for members. She urged members to change their attitudes towards the profession to enhance their lifestyles and develop the nation's few cultural resources and cultural tourism.

The MUSIGA President said a music festival would be organized next year to showcase the nation's indigenous music, musical instruments and hold seminars and workshops to educate members about the dynamism of the music industry.

She thanked the Government for its attention to the industry by waiving duties on musical instruments and adding the industry to the national budget.

Mr Samuel Kofi Agyeman was elected unopposed as regional chairman with Mr Adu Nti as vice chairman. Those elected for the other positions were Madam Rebecca Agyeman, treasurer; Mr Talik Alhassan, Coordinator and Ms Mercy Safo Hamond, welfare officer.

Mr Agyeman on behalf of the new executive thanked members for the confidence reposed in them and prayed that they would remain united and support the executive to lift the banner of the Union higher.