A platform for musicians across the country, Musicians Forum, has bemoaned the effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 on the music industry and called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to come to their rescue in order to save the industry.

The forum is a platform of musicians across the country, made up of members from various musician bodies.

According to the forum, following the government’s ban on social and public gatherings, their business has also been negatively affected.

In a statement by the group and signed by its Convener, George William Dickson on Tuesday, 26 May 2020, the Forum noted: “Almost all musicians and performers mostly depend on shows, funerals, weddings, conferences among other ceremonies and functions for a living and survival”

It stated: “Government could have even brought out a clear roadmap of interventions, rescue, support and recovery plans for our industry in times” like these.

The group added: “Musicians are left wandering and pondering over the sustainability of their livelihood without even knowing when the ban on social gathering and functions will be released and even when it will be released and even when it will be conducive for musicians to perform at ceremonies.”

The musicians, however, commended the government for the support it has rendered to some small businesses to “revive them and keep them running” and asked for the extension of such gesture to the music industry as “most musicians are now finding it difficult to sustain themselves and their families in this COVID 19 period.”

The Forum also entreated the “Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts to be innovative and proactive enough in abnormal times like these and act swiftly and spearhead a stimulus or support package for musicians who have always kept the country entertained over all the years.”