MUSIGA to roll out academy

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) will take
off with its much talked-about music academy by
the end of March this year.
The academy which is being supported by the Skills
Development Fund (SDF), will empower members
with knowledge across the whole gamut of the
music business. Certificates of proficiency will be
awarded to participating members.
Apart from tutorials from established music
professionals, there will be input to the training by
staff of the School of Performing Arts of the
University of Ghana and the National Film and
Television Institute (NAFTI).
Speaking to Showbiz last Friday at the end of
MUSIGA’s annual two-day retreat for its national
executive council at Koforidua, the union’s Head of
Communications and Special Projects, Ahuma
Bosco Ocansey said the academy will be officially
launched at this year’s Ghana Music Week Festival
slated for early March.
During the retreat, the MUSIGA executive reviewed
the union’s activities for last year and drew up an
action plan for 2015. According to Ahuma Ocansey,
the union will this year execute its flagship
programmes such as the Music Week Festival and
the Grand Ball in Accra and the Asanteman Arts
Ball and Awards in Kumasi.
It will also embark on a collaboration effort with the
Ghana Police which will include support for the
annual West Africa Security Services Association
(WASSA) fun activities and recording of songs to
help change people’s attitudes towards the Police.
Another key activity at the leadership retreat was
the official unveiling of new membership rates and
categories.
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In addition to the current standard membership,
three new categories were announced.
They are the Student or Unsung category, Pro-
Level category and the MUSIGA Partner category.
“These categories are intended to address the
peculiar needs of the various segments of
musicians in the country and they come with
distinct benefits,” MUSIGA president, Bice Osei
Kuffour, said.
He continued, “The new rates for Standard
membership are a registration fee of GH¢ 54.00,
monthly dues of GH¢ 5.00 and future card renewal
of GH¢ 30. For the MUSIGA Pro-Level category,
registration is GH¢ 100.00, the monthly is GH¢
40.00 and a future card renewal for the category is
GH¢ 50.00.
The Partner category is for all well-wishers of the
industry willing to associate with the Union. New
membership registration here is GH¢ 40 with annual
dues of GH¢ 60,” he stated.
He said some of the benefits for the partner
category include subscription to the union’s
newsletter, free participation in the union’s
activities and discounts on artiste bookings through
the union.
Meanwhile, the Student or Unsung category, is GH¢
30.00 with monthly dues of GH¢ 5.
MUSIGA has announced that there will be free
health screening and distribution of allowances for
aged musicians on Wednesday, January 21, from
8.00am at the union’s head office in Accra.