The Musicians Union of Ghana has announced that on March 6, it would award outstanding musicians who have contributed immensely toward the building of a vibrant music industry in the country.

In addition to the awards, MUSIGA in collaboration with the National Theatre will organise a workshop, seminars among other to educate musicians on issues affecting the musician and the industry in Ghana.

According to MUSIGA the award scheme, which has been instituted, would be yearly, and however appealed to musicians and stakeholders in the industry to support the union in it activities to promote the music industry in Ghana.

The event is expected to attract all the musicians in the country as well as stakeholders in the industry.

In another development, MUSIGA has expressed concern about the increased rate of piracy in the country.

It appealed to Parliament to pass the new copyright bill, which it believes, will halt the activities of pirates.

MUSIGA said under the old copyright law, when a pirate is arrested and put before court, the highest fine is one million cedis. It argued that why should a pirate pay one million cedis as a court fine after making over fifty million cedis out of piracy, adding that if a pirate will continue, because he makes so much that he will not feel any pain when paying the fine.

MUSIGA declared that, the musicians are suffering in the hands of exploitations and pirates. According to MUSIGA musicians need government assistance to enable them enjoy the fruits of their labour, and earn foreign exchange for the country.

MUSIGA again appealed to the government to grant members of the union tax holiday on the importation of musical instruments into the country to help boost the music industry in the country.

The MUSIGA noted that the tax holiday for the importance of musical instruments will help create employment for musicians, and also bring back live band music, while promoting tourism in the country; but due to the high taxes on importation of instruments for live band performances, musicians have decided not to perform live with instruments.