Music of Thursday, 15 September 2011

Source: George Clifford Owusu

"Pay Your Dues": Sidiku Buari Tells Musicians

A former president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Alhaji Sidiku Buari, has appealed to Ghanaian musicians to come together and work as a team to move the music industry forward.

Speaking at the inauguration of newly-elected MUSIGA executives held at the MUSIGA offices in Accra last Thursday, Sidiku Buari also appealed to the newly-elected executives to put in their best to make the union a vibrant one. “This is the time to work together like a team and make sure we achieve our aim. I see new executives as people with a clear vision which is to move our cherished union to higher heights.

“They should know note that their positions are sacrificial. They should eschew self centeredness and work hard to redeem the image of the union,” he said.

Alhaji Sidiku Buari, also a former vice president of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), who is happy about the current development in MUSIGA and the music industry, urged all the musicians to pay their dues promptly to enable the union to raise enough funds to meet its commitments, especially paying its staff.

The former president, who served eight years as MUSIGA president, declared that there was the need for members of the union to put their differences aside and form a united front to fight for the pressing needs of the union.

He expressed confidence in the new-elected executives of the union and advised them to work tirelessly towards the progress of the industry. He was of the opinion that Obour had good intentions and a vision that would boost the image of MUSIGA.

In a related development, one of the Upper West-based musicians, Mercy Awuni, thanked God for making Obour the president of the union. According to her, Obour had what it took to lead the union, adding that with his vision and determination, Obour would put smiles on the faces of Ghanaian musicians.

Mercy Awuni congratulated Alhaji Sidiku Buari for the good work done during his eight years as MUSIGA president. She also commended Sidiku Buari for using his own resources to renovate the offices of the union during his administration, as well as assisting a number of old Ghanaian musicians.