Accra, April 26, GNA - Alhaji Sidiku Buari, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has called for unity among musicians worldwide to enable them to speak with one voice on issues affecting them.

He made the call in Washington DC when he addressed a Presidium meeting of the International Federation of Musicians. A statement issued in Accra after the meeting said Alhaji Buari, who is also the Vice President of the Federation expressed regret about problems encountered by musicians from third world countries with immigration authorities visas and other travel documents in pursuit of their profession, whereas the same did not apply to musicians from European countries. He said one problem confronting the music industry worldwide was that of piracy and called for urgent measures to stop the pirates in their track. Alhaji Buari said advancement in technology today helped facilitate piracy since the trend now was for people to download musical works from the Internet without paying any royalty. He said people's intellectual property needed to be respected and acknowledged. Mr John Smith, President of the International Federation of Musicians said the Federation would go every length to promote the interest of members. Mr Smith, who is also the General Secretary of the British Musicians Union outlined a number of workshops and seminars to be organised in Africa and some European countries to help build the capacity of members on piracy and technological developments. The President of the American Federation of Musicians Mr Tom Lee also pledged his Federation's preparedness to assist musicians in the third world to upgrade their shills. He cautioned African musicians against miming, which he said did not help them to develop their skills. Mr Lee said live band music would help generate employment for African musicians. Mr John Sweeney, President of the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial organisation (ALF CIO), promised to table problems of immigration and other labour matters encountered by musicians from third world countries in the US Senate. 26 April 06