Accra, Aug 22, GNA - The President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Alhaji Sidiku Buari will not contest for re-election at the forthcoming congress of the Union slated for Ho, the Volta Regional capital.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday he said, "After two three-year terms I must give way for others also to contribute their quota".

Alhaji Sidiku Buari explained that the constitution of the Union did not allow for more than two terms and said, "If even the constitution allowed I would not have stood for re- election". The MUSOGA President said he was thankful to God for successfully being at the helm of affairs of the Union since most of his predecessors could not even complete their first term to go for a second. Alhaji Sidiku Buari said he was happy that he was passing on the baton at this time that the status of the Ghanaian musician was better than at the time he took over the affairs of the Union. He pointed out that even though the government had given the Old Passport office to the Union for its secretariat, the premises remained undeveloped for two years until he was elected President of MUSIGA. "Under my Presidency, there are ten offices. An open air and an outdoor theatre have been provided at the premises where musicians can perform live concerts to earn a living and promote Ghanaian music," he said.

"MUSIGA has also been firmly planted in all the ten regions of the country, which made it possible for the holding of musical concerts in all the regional capitals and Accra simultaneously as part of the activities marking Ghana's Golden Jubilee celebration," Alhaji Sidiku Buari stated.

He said other achievements during his tenure as MUSIGA President included the preparation of a specimen contract for musicians and the hiring of a Lawyer to guide members in their negotiations with Producers to protect the creative rights of musicians, the MUSIGA President stated.

Alhaji Sidiku said this had reduced disputes between Musicians and Producers since members of the Union could no longer be taken for a ride in their negotiations.

The MUSIGA President noted that as a representative of the Musicians Union on the Committee on PNDC Law 110 on Intellectual Property and Copyright, he become Chairman of Board and said he ensured that the office of the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) was repaired to befit the status that it deserved.

He wished the Union well and expressed the hope that Musicians would elect hardworking members who would seek the welfare of members to move MUSIGA forward to promote the music industry in the country. When asked what he would be doing after his tenure, Alhaji Sidiku Buari told the GNA that, "After two three-year terms I am getting old and I must have time for the things I want to do in my lifetime. I will be working to expand my theatre and develop both an indoor theatre and a rooftop one for live concerts to promote Ghanaian music and to ensure musicians have an avenue to earn a decent living".