MUSIGA MUSIC ACADEMY SET FOR MARCH

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.
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.