The Professional Musicians Association of Ghana (PROMAG) has commended the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) on its successful elections of new executives to govern the union.
In a release issued to the media, PROMAG called for collaboration among all stakeholders in the interest of mainstreaming music into the national development agenda.
PROMAG, endorsed by legendary industry figures including Ghanaba, Faisal Helwani, Osibisa’s Mac Tontoh and Khodjo Aquai (all of blessed memory), was established over five years ago as an alternative to the existing Musicians Union.
PROMAG’s primary objective is to improve the lives and working conditions of Ghana’s neglected and embattled professional musicians, and signals an end to a dark era of poverty, ignorance and apathy. It represents a new dawn-of hope, advancement and emancipation.
Members of PROMAG include stars like Pat Thomas, Shasha Marley, Zapp Mallet, Charles Amoah, Naa Amanua, Bob Fiscian, Abebe, Sloopy Mike Gyamfi, Klala, Chickale, Ackah Blay, Okyeame Bediako, Desmond Ababio, and several others.
PROMAG called on the new MUSIGA executives to uphold the principles of good governance i.e. accountability and transparency, and engender confidence in music industry institutions, which is at an all-time low due to bad governance practices, particularly over the last decade.
PROMAG called for unity in diversity, citing teachers who despite belonging to separate associations (GNAT, NAGRAT, TEWU) operated in peace. A similar situation prevails among Ghanaian Music Producers who currently cooperate under three associations- GAPI, REPPAGh and NASGAMP.
The key to success in Ghana’s Music industry today (where different organisations cater for special interests) is peaceful co-existence, PROMAG concluded.