MUSIGA to roll out academy
The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) will take off with its much talked-about music academy by the end of March this year.
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The academy which is being supported by the Skills Development Fund (SDF), will empower members with knowledge across the whole gamut of the music business. Certificates of proficiency will be awarded to participating members.
Apart from tutorials from established music professionals, there will be input to the training by staff of the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana and the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI).
Speaking to Showbiz last Friday at the end of MUSIGA’s annual two-day retreat for its national executive council at Koforidua, the union’s Head of Communications and Special Projects, Ahuma Bosco Ocansey said the academy will be officially launched at this year’s Ghana Music Week Festival slated for early March.
During the retreat, the MUSIGA executive reviewed the union’s activities for last year and drew up an action plan for 2015. According to Ahuma Ocansey, the union will this year execute its flagship programmes such as the Music Week Festival and the Grand Ball in Accra and the Asanteman Arts Ball and Awards in Kumasi.
It will also embark on a collaboration effort with the Ghana Police which will include support for the annual West Africa Security Services Association (WASSA) fun activities and recording of songs to help change people’s attitudes towards the Police.
Another key activity at the leadership retreat was the official unveiling of new membership rates and categories. In addition to the current standard membership, three new categories were announced.
They are the Student or Unsung category, Pro-Level category and the MUSIGA Partner category.
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“These categories are intended to address the peculiar needs of the various segments of musicians in the country and they come with distinct benefits,” MUSIGA president, Bice Osei Kuffour, said.
He continued, “The new rates for Standard membership are a registration fee of GH¢ 54.00, monthly dues of GH¢ 5.00 and future card renewal of GH¢ 30. For the MUSIGA Pro-Level category, registration is GH¢ 100.00, the monthly is GH¢ 40.00 and a future card renewal for the category is GH¢ 50.00.
The Partner category is for all well-wishers of the industry willing to associate with the Union. New membership registration here is GH¢ 40 with annual dues of GH¢ 60,” he stated.
He said some of the benefits for the partner category include subscription to the union’s newsletter, free participation in the union’s activities and discounts on artiste bookings through the union.
Meanwhile, the Student or Unsung category, is GH¢ 30.00 with monthly dues of GH¢ 5.
MUSIGA has announced that there will be free health screening and distribution of allowances for aged musicians on Wednesday, January 21, from 8.00am at the union’s head office in Accra.