The President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Alhaji Sidiku Buari, has called on Ghanaian musicians to compose patriotic songs for the country?s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration.

The MUSIGA President told Graphic Showbiz last Monday that as its contribution towards the jubilee celebration, MUSIGA was running a competition for musicians to come up with suitable songs for the occasion.

According to him, MUSIGA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation , would offer attractive prizes to those whose works would be adjudged to be very good.

He said there had been times when the musicians of this country had set the pace for national development by composing songs which urged Ghanaians on to work harder, adding that in those days the spirit of the country was high and everybody felt proud of being a Ghanaian.

Alahji Buari said the arts, of which music was an important branch, owed it as a duty to help psyche the people up to work harder and contribute their quota for the country?s common good.

?Fifty years in a country?s life is a long time indeed and everybody now has to put their hands on deck to ensure that we succeed as a people?, he said.

Alhaji Buari said he would be happy if this patriotic song competition was won by an entirely fresh musician, saying that would underscore the fact that Ghana abounded in talents.

He asked those who wanted to respond to this call and take part in the competition to address the demos of their composition to the MUSIGA Headquarters , Box C 2240, Cantonments, Accra, or contact the office on telephone number 233 21 67 2626. The demos could also be sent to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.