MUSIGA Talks BIG and
Tough: tells Ghana Music Awards to
make major changes!!!
There seems to be a call for major shake-ups in the
way Charter House, producers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards,
operates the award scheme. The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has
made some demands and a letter titled as follows:
MUSIGA
PROPOSAL TO CHARTERHOUSE FOR BETTERMENT OF MUSICIANS
The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) would like
to inform the general public that it’s proposal and ongoing negotiations
with Charterhouse, organizers of the annual Ghana Music Awards
over the past 13 years seeks to protect musicians while at the same time
enhancing the quality of the event.
It is has never been the intention of the Union to
jeopardize the good relationship it has had with Charterhouse over
the years nor to undermine the 2013 event.
Musiga has always collaborated effectively
with Charterhouse for the planning and implementation of the
awards and wishes to be able to continue in this vein in future.
This Statement is in reaction to suggestions in the public
domain arising from the on- going discussions between the two parties on
concerns raised by members of the Union.Even though it is not the wish of
Musiga to put out the details of an ongoing negotiation. It is unfortunate that
these internal discussions have gotten into the public domain in its early
stages. We are therefore forced to clear the air by providing
information in our proposal.
Negotiations between MUSIGA and Charterhouse has
been on-going since the first meeting on the 5th of April 2013, where, among
other issues, the following were discussed:
1.Formalize MUSIGA-Charterhouse relationship in an MOU,
to ensure MUSIGA contributes even more to enhance the GMA brand, considering
that the brand has been associated with the Union for the past
13years.
2.Proposal of a minimum performance fee to be
agreed by both parties for GMA performing Artists to ensure high
quality performance.
3.Proposal that each award winner
receives cash award equivalent to the number of awards won rather
than the current situation where for instance an artiste who wins 5 awards
receives the same cash amount as the artiste who wins 1 award.
4.Recommendation to increase the annual cash
contribution towards MUSIGA Artiste Welfare and Development Fund,
from the current GHC 15,000 to GHC 250000 per
Annum. Charterhouse until the year 2012 had been graciously
contributing an amount of GHC 7000 to the Welfare Fund.
Musiga wishes to state also that, this proposal and
negotiations will take effect from the 2014 Award Year.
We wish to state that this proposal is been put forward in
good fate and in the interest of musicians who have over the years raised
concern.
It is the fervent wish of the Union that this MOU
will be signed and the Unions relationship with Charterhouse formalized by
the time of the VGMA 2013 Event (18th May, 2013).
The Union heartily commends all members who have shown
faith in it and assures musicians that these discussions are to articulate
their concerns and arrive at a consensus that will be agreeable.
In this connection, the Union would as always,
urge all musicians to give out their very best to ensure sponsors, event
producers, and the general public are always satisfied with
their performance.
We very much wish VGMA 2013 a resounding success.
Signed: Bice Osei
Kuffour
President of Musiga
