General News of Saturday, 16 June 2001

Source: Accra Mail

GMF Music to the Rescue of Highlife

GMF Music Group, a Belgium based music company which has shown interest in African music has established one of its branches in Ghana to assist in the production of good music especially, highlife.

Announcing this at a press conference in Accra last Friday, the President of MUSIGA, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, who is also the local Director of GMF, noted that a look at the local music scene, reveals that the industry is dying gradually because of the absence of a well organized recording entity to provide quality services for the production of marketable music.

He said GMF is therefore in the country to see how best it can uplift and maintain the image of the music industry in Ghana and Africa.

He said the company is starting business with five strategic outlets located in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale to cater for the needs of the people in these regions, while plans are in the pipeline to open more outlets in the other regional capitals. "We will sell our products at affordable prices to enable the average Ghanaian to have asses to good music," he said.

In line with the company's plans to help develop music talents, Alhaji Sidiku said GMF has so far signed contracts with 30 local musicians to handle and distribute its works. Six new albums of various musicians will be released on the market every month starting from June.

Luanching the first batch of albums by the company made up of a collection by renowned artist such as, Nana King, Pozo Haze, K. K. Kaboobo, the Deputy Minister of Tourism , Nana Akomea, urged musicians to move away from petty squabbles and forge ahead to improve the industry.

He said there is an enormous potential for the music industry to grow and contribute to the countries GDP. According to him, research has shown that the music industry is currently worth around ?175 billion with the prospects of reaching ?500 billion when the available talents are harnessed.