Regional News of Wednesday, 16 July 2008

Source: GNA

Association calls for unity to save phonographic industry

Accra, July 16, GNA - The Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry (GAPI), has appealed to stakeholders to bury their differences and unite to address the many challenges facing the music industry. "I foresee the collapse of the industry if care is not taken. Many local and foreign investors are losing interest in the music business and if this continues for the next two years, the collapse of the industry may be irreversible," GAPI warned in statement in Accra on Wednesday.

The statement signed by the GAPI President, Mr John Mensah Sarpong, attributed problems in the industry to personality clashes, power struggle, mistrust, misinformation and overdependence on hearsays without investigation to establish the truth.

"I am by this press release calling on all in the industry to avoid peddling lies and creating confusion which tend to tarnish the reputation of others especially those in the position of trust," it said.

The statement reminded stakeholders that no other persons were in a better position to address their problems than they themselves. "Unless we all come together to fight our interests on a common front, the downward trend in the industry would continue," Mr Sarpong said.