Bessa Simons MUSIGHA acting president
The Leadership of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has described moves by certain individuals to form a new music union, NEW MUSIGHA as unfortunate.
In a statement issued on June 29, 2023 and signed by the Acting MUSIGA President, Bessa Simons, said such moves are a ploy to sow discord and confusion within the ranks of the membership of MUSIGA.
The leadership of MUSIGA is threatening to expel any members who join the alleged new MUSIGHA before the organization’s elections on August 8 2023.
“This is a regrettable development and is unmistakably a ruse by those who promote conflict and confusion among MUSIGA members,” the statement said.
The statement indicated that this attempt by them to leave MUSIGA is undesired and must be denounced by all well-meaning artists after their legal maneuvering and machinations failed.
According to MUSIGA’s constitution, article 7.4.1, members shall be opened to, professional musicians who are not members of any rival body of musicians.
The union’s constitution, Article 7.7 on conflict of interest also states, “No member shall be permitted to hold membership in any union of musicians not affiliated with the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA)or any organisation, association of musicians or collecting society that has goals of engaging in a pattern of conduct undermining the legitimate interest/s of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) or any affiliate.
The statement added that from the foregoing constitutional provisions, any member who joins the purported New MUSIGHA automatically loses their membership of the union.
Finally, the statement said“as we prepare for our elections on August 8, the leadership of MUSIGA would like to encourage our members to remain calm and united as we work to build a strong and united union.”
By George Clifford Owusu