MUSIGA is weak, that’s why our legends die weak – Ras Appiah Caleb

Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, is worried over the welfare of musicians.

According to him, the union has not done much in building a strong support system for the industry.

He says the system failure has contributed to many music legends struggling financially when they leave active service.

Voicing out his frustration, the Regional Chairman said“We are very weak and that is why we cannot support our musicians. MUSIGA is meant for welfare and advocacy”

“You don’t have to wait for the death of a musician before talking about welfare. Seeking the welfare has to do with ensuring that the work of the musician goes on well and the royalties and copyrights are being protected.”

Exemplifying his point, he made mention of the late Nana Ampadu, where he stated that even though the legend had served Ghana from the 1960s till his death, the musician was not honored well enough.

“Why should it be this way? Especially for someone who has composed over 800 songs. He would never have tasted poverty if the system was right. The system is not working here. Let the system work in the music industry where the people will log in the royalties,” he added.
He admonished that if MUSIGA wants to be recognized for what it stands for, it “has to fight for our musicians, whether they are members of MUSIGA or not.”

Ghanaian highlife legend, Nana Ampadu, died at age 76 on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, and this marks a major loss to the Ghanaian music industry.

The family of the late Nana Ampadu revealed that he died on admission at the Intensive Care Unit of Legon Hospital.

Days after his death, veteran musician Akosua Agyepong pinned his death on the carelessness of a doctor at the hospital but this has been contested.