WE DON’T KNOW PAEDAE OR R2BEES

This might sound a bit funny as I believe you don’t respond to ‘ghostly’ accusations. I use ghostly since the union believes they know not of such a character as Paedae neither do they know of a group such as R2Bees but check out what Zionfelix reports;

“The Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has taken a swipe at Paedae, a member of hiplife duo R2bees for saying the union lacks common sense.

According to MUSIGA, its outfit is unaware of any musician or a group called R2bees.

Last week, Paedae, half of the multiple award-winning hiplife duo, R2bees went on a Twitter spree to rant about Ghana music industry describing it as an industry where leaders do nothing for its members.

Faisal Hakeem, as he is called in real life took to twitter to pour out his frustration (MUSIGA Has Big Brains But Not Common Sense – Paedae Laments) calling for better remuneration, effective institution for revenue collection and a working structure to support and promote Ghanaian music to reach its deserving heights.

He likened the music industry to the Black Stars without a Ghana Football Association (GFA) and pointed out that the industry lacked common sense since the leaders employed to run the industry had “big brains” but lacked “common sense”.

Reacting to the comment, the National Welfare Officer of the Union, Mr. J. V. Owusu rubbished the claims and denied knowing any artist by name Paedae.

Mr. J. V. Owusu in an interview with Ashh fm entertainment zone last Sunday, said Paedae and his group has no locus to criticize Musiga.

“In the first place who is Paedae or R2bees? Musiga as a union doesn’t know them, they are not card bearing members, they don’t pay dues, and they don’t come to our meetings. What is he talking about?” He said.

He said card bearing members of the union were aware of the hardworking of the current executives. “We are doing our best to upgrade the welfare of our members, so this people must come again.”

“If Paedae and his R2bees or whatever they call themselves have a problem they should come to the office and deliberate with us and stop the media gimmick.”

Mr. Owusu however condemned Paedae and stated emphatically that the union will not condone such utterances from any musician or industry player.

I MISS MY HUSBAND’S LOVE - ACTRESS PATIENCE OZOKWOR

Popular actress, Patience Ozokwor who is known for her very tough roles in movies showed a softer side in this new interview with 'Sun'.

The 56-year old actress...(who doesn't look 56 even for a second!) shared the story of her husband, her in-laws and her love for kids which drove her to adopt 5 more children in addition to her own biological 3 kids.

The interview showed that Mama G, as she is popularly called, is an entirely different person from the roles she portrays in movies.

Read the interview below:

*How did you feel when you received the Centenary award?

I felt very elated to have received the award, because it is a sign that Nigerians appreciate my good work. It is indeed a dream come through for me as a thespian, and I promise to always make Nigeria and Africa proud with my work.


*How do you feel about all your achievements as an actress?

Stardom has taken me to so many countries in the world. I have been able to meet presidents of different nations - and I appreciate the fact that people commend and appreciate my acting skills whenever they meet me anywhere in Nigeria and outside the country, which gives me a great pleasure and ability to work harder. Knowing that I have fans all over the world is worth celebrating.

*How has Nollywood helped to transform Nigeria?

Our movies have been able to affect people’s lives as well as make them happy. In fact, Nollywood has transformed Nigeria’s image abroad positively and I am delighted to be part of this achievement.

*Has your profession affected your life positively?

I have been able to assist my family financially through my work, my children were able to go to school and they are living a comfortable life with their families as graduates by the special grace of God. In fact, the movie industry has affected my life positively in every ramification and I don’t have any regret being an actress and I give God all the glory.

*Have you achieved all that you set out to achieve?

I have not yet achieved everything, personally there are things that I have in mind to do in the industry, but when I look back there is nobody yet qualified to take over the mantle from me. And I pray that God will raise someone that will be better than me, which will be a great achievement to have someone who will replace me, when I finally leave the industry.

*Would you support any of your children to go into entertainment?

My second son is already into entertainment, he has a music record label. While my daughter ended up in the church drama. Though, my son acted in few movies before he left for the United Kingdom, hopefully he may do more in acting or movie directing in the future. And I will give him every encouragement if he decides to go into acting professionally, because he is passionate about entertainment.

* While growing up did you ever think of becoming a movie star?
I have always been an entertainer from childhood, so getting to the level I have attained in the industry is by the grace of God, consistency and hard work.

*Could you share some of the experiences you had in your early days as an actress that almost discouraged you?

During my early days, sometimes when I get to location with a script, they would tell me someone has taken my place, which was so disappointing. But I endured and believed God for mine, and He gave me what belongs to me. Today, God has celebrated me as an icon and I give God all the glory.

*Your husband died in 2000, precisely 14 years ago, how is life as a widow?

God has always been on my side because without Him there is nothing we can do. Again, I lived in the village, maybe if I were living in the city, things would be happening to me and nobody will know what I was passing through. And my people in the village know that I am always on location working either in the eastern part of the country or Lagos and Abuja. But when I am not working you will see me in the comfort of my home in the village. I appreciate my people for all their love and peaceful co-existence which I am enjoying. My husband’s family loves me so much, even before I became a star; we were so attached to each other. Everyone in the family calls me Patia; they are fond of me.

*Are you saying you still live in the village?
I don’t live in the city; I still live in my village. It is nice to live in the countryside where everyone is everybody’s business. (Laughter).

*Not minding the fact that you are a celebrity?
If you see the way people appreciate me in my village, whenever I go to the market to shop everyone will be calling me ‘Mama G’, ‘Gee’ for general, in fact, you will appreciate me more. But my office is located in Enugu town. So, I enjoy living in the village, my hometown. I still live my life of simplicity regardless of fame.

*How do you manage to shuttle from the village to other parts of the country?

I have a guesthouse in Lagos where some of my jobs are concentrated like soaps, endorsements, commercials and shooting of movies. I have a three bedroom flat in Asaba. Because I am tired of staying in public hostels, some are sub-standard; and sometimes you run into small girls that you know. So, I decided to rent an apartment each in Lagos and Asaba for comfort. I have adopted children who I take on holidays, so because I would not like them to grow up in the village without being exposed to city life, when they are on long vocation and I am in Nigeria, I take them to Lagos or Asaba for a change of environment.

*Your son had his wedding in the United Kingdom sometimes ago and your daughter also got married in Nigeria, how many children do you have?

I have three biological children. But because of my love for children, I adopted five other children who bear my name and I am very proud of them as my children. But I intend giving two among them to my younger sister to love as I have been doing. I am grateful to God for their lives, my son in-law and beautiful daughter-in-law, I love you all.

*Your late husband was supportive of your career, would you say you miss his presence now that you have hit stardom, especially being honoured with the Centenary award?

I wish my husband were alive to witness my Centenary award, because he was highly supportive of my career. Though, he was sick for a long time before he died, I wish he were still alive. But God knows the best. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

*What did you really miss about him?
I miss the togetherness, when two people work together trying to train the children, bringing them up in unity and love. And all the affection he showered on us. I miss the way he celebrated my children’s birthdays, he was a true father and husband when he was alive. I miss my husband’s companionship and love.

*Have you ever acted any role related with your experience as a widow?
Of course, one or two things that happened to you as a widow will definitely come up in the movies, but I have not acted any widowhood role that has to do with my experience as a widow negatively. My in-laws have been very supportive and caring; we have always lived like one big family. I always visit them in the United Kingdom, United States of America and those in Nigeria are united in love with me. When my husband was hospitalized, my sister-in-law and I were taking care of him; she stayed with him at nights while I took over from her in the morning before going to location. On that fateful day, I was on location when my husband died, before my sister in-law arrived at the hospital. Thereafter, they informed me about his death and they put him in the mortuary and asked me to continue with my job, because they understand my kind of job, but I blatantly refused. I took permission from the producer and stayed away for some days. I later came back to finish the production of the movie.

*Tell us about your parents?

My parents were loving and caring, I miss them so much. My mother was a popular trader. I never had it rough as a child, I only had it rough when my husband fell sick, but my in-laws did not leave me, they took care of my husband’s hospital bills. It’s just that you don’t have to wait for people to survive; instead you struggle to make life meaningful for yourself.

* You are looking younger and beautiful even at your age, are you thinking about remarrying?

It is not about my look but my age. I am not thinking about remarrying. Since my husband died, I have been rearing my children to the glory of God. And I decided to occupy my mind on my job and service to God to give my children the best in life.

How old are you now?

I was born on March 25,1958, so do the calculation.

*At 56, you are looking elegant. What is the secret behind your healthy look?

God is the secret behind my ageless look, and I also eat what my body needs, I take a lot of fruits and exercise when it’s necessary. And most imperatively, I don’t drink alcohol because I have realized that alcohol does a lot of damage to the body and makes you look older than your age.

*Nollywood producers have stereotyped you with roles that make you get bad remarks, how have these roles affected your life?

I don’t owe anybody any apology for the roles I play, because I get paid for them and it is my job. It is only people who don’t understand that acting is make belief that perceive an actor to be living his or her life the way she acts on set. If I could read my script and interpret the role to get the best production, it means I understand acting.

*Who is Patience Ozokwor outside the set?
I am a very loving mother, nice, caring, jovial, understanding, and above all God-fearing. But I don’t take nonsense because I am a disciplinarian.

*You attended teachers training college. Were you nursing the idea of becoming a teacher?

I attended teachers training college in Afikpo; and then I proceeded to IMT, Enugu where I studied Fine and Applied Arts, specializing in Graphics. But as you can see,I am a not a teacher today, because my interest is in acting where my passion also lies.

KWADEE’S MOTHER STILL AFTER HIM

Once regarded as one of the best acts in Ghanaian music, Okomfo Kwadee has seen so much turmoil in his life with his ever-inspiring career getting sludge to a point where he scaled from the best to the ignored.

One person who has been very instrumental in the life of the artiste, through grace and disgrace – is the mother. Some have tagged her as being part of Kwadee’s problems and others have supported her cause to protect her son. She has openly accused friends and managers of Kwadee for negatively influencing her son, introducing him to drugs and sinking his career.

After a hiatus from the music scene, Okomfo Kwadee is back in the mix of a very competitive industry and this time, her mum is in his corner, not leaving him alone as the artiste released two new singles, ‘Fee Fee’ and ‘Di Kan Ko’ which features Kwaw Kesse.

In an interview with Fareed Yakubu, the CEO of Black Stars Production, the new label that signed the artiste; he said that the artiste is back for good and will be launching his full album in June 2014. He added that, they have plans of releasing about five different singles of Kwadee before the full album is officially launched.

“We have plans of releasing one single together with a video every month before the end of May; then in June, we shall do the full album launch,” he said.

On the relationship between the label and Kwadee’s mother, he said that, Kwadee’s mother doesn’t have any problem with Kwadee’s come back. He explained that, the problems that ensued between Kwadee and his former management was due to lack of understanding between Kwadee’s family and his management, but now, they are working in collaboration with Kwadee’s mother.

“Kwadee is a great talent who doesn't need to be neglected because of family and managerial issues, and although working with the family might be difficult, we believe that the best way to save the situation is to involve his mum and family fully in the management of the artiste,” Fareed explained. On Kwadee’s health status, Mr. Yakubu said that Kwadee is fit and strong enough for the music game and needs to be encouraged instead of spreading false tales about him; which could demoralize and demotivate him from actualizing his passion, which is music.

In a separate chat with Okomfo Kwadee, he disagreed with the perception held by many that he has mental problems. According to him, he wouldn't be able to do quality music if he had any mental challenges. However, he admitted to seeing the doctor for stress-related issues which he believes did not prevent him or affect his recording procedures.

SONNIE BADU IN TROUBLE!

UK-based Ghanaian gospel artiste, Sonnie Badu, is on the verge of having his song, ‘Wonder God’ being scrapped from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.

Sonnie Badu’s song ‘Wonder God’ was nominated for ‘Gospel Song of the Year’, and ‘Best Male Vocalist of the Year’ for Sonny’s vocal delivery on the song. Investigations reveal that the song was officially released online on 6th November 2012 and the video of the song was subsequently uploaded on YouTube on 11th October 2012.

The official dates under review for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013 – which means, ‘Wonder God’ does not qualify. The VGMA Board is expected to meet and deliberate on this evidence and is supposed to act on it as soon as possible.

In other bizarre news, Sonnie, who is said to have cast a slur on Ghanaian gospel music and its purveyors a couple of years ago; is being accused of maligning the importance of the VGMAs in connection with the local-based gospel artistes.

After attaining six nominations, including one in the topmost ‘Artiste of the Year’ category, Sonnie has been accused of vilifying Ghanaian gospel artistes and their involvement in the VGMAs in a recently-granted interview on Rainbow 87.5FM.

Sonnie Badu was said to have stated some weeks ago on the ‘Gh. Entertainment’ Show that the Ghana Music Awards is only meant for local artistes and since he’s an international artiste, he does not see himself as being part of the Awards.

When Sonnie Badu was contacted, he rebutted such claims being attributed to him. “I would not like to be misquoted again. It was a phone conversation on Rainbow Radio where the host asked me why I have not got any nominations thus far in the VGMAs, and I jokingly responded that , maybe, my not being nominated was due to the fact that I don’t reside in Ghana. It’s a joke I shared,” he explained.

Commenting on the news of his first-time nominations, Sonnie said he was informed by his manager and deemed it a great honour to be part of the Awards. “It’s always a great feeling when your works are recognized anywhere in the world, so all glory goes to God,” he articulated.

Sonnie Badu becomes only the third gospel artiste in 14 years to make an appearance in the category for the topmost prize of the Awards after the likes of Kwaku Gyasi and No Tribe made appearances but failed to win. “Being the only gospel artiste in the ‘Artiste of the Year’ category is such a great honour. It feels like I am representing my fellow brothers and sisters so it’s Team Gospel against the rest and once again, glory goes to God.”

Sonnie said that, even in the said interview, he tipped fellow gospel artiste Cwesi Oteng to annex some awards this year. “I am a big fan of Cwesi Oteng’s songwriting ability and his musical skills, plus he is a great friend so when the host asked who I wanted to win, I mentioned Cwesi Oteng,” he elucidated.

DISSOLVE COPYRIGHT OFFICE

BEATWAVES investigations have revealed that a number of several creative art players, especially music rights owners are preparing to petition President Mahama to dissolve the Copyright Office for its failure to check massive piracy currently bedevilling the Ghanaian creative sector.

Music, film and book piracy are at unprecedented levels, with the Copyright Office looking on unconcerned despite billions of old Cedis at its disposal from the levy on devices capable of reproducing copyright works.

BEATWAVES gathered that over the past two years, the Copyright Office had been unable to effectively curb blatant piracy in Ghana.

Further information BEATWAVES gathered indicates that one of the private Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) set up under the Copyright Act, Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) within the first year of its existence organised several raids on pirates culminating in the arrest, prosecution and jailing of several pirates by the courts.

On contacting GHAMRO on the matter, GHAMRO’s key leaders, Carlos Sakyi and his two deputies, Amandzeba Nat Brew and Apostle K.K. Kabobo, described the current leadership of the Copyright Office as totally ineffective, divisive and lacking the competence to develop the Copyright Sector.

They disclosed that GHAMRO was is in the process of informing the Attorney-General (A-G) of its decision to deal directly with the office of the A-G and not the Copyright Office as happened under former A-G Betty Mould-Iddrisu, and that the A-G must do due diligence to establish whether the Copyright Office is properly constituted legally.

They pointed out that according to Section 68 of the Copyright Act, all staff of the Copyright Office must be appointed by the President in consultation with the Legal Service Board and the Public Services Commission which they believe “is not currently the case”.

According to them, the current officer in charge of the Copyright Office, Madam Yaa Attafua, “Is operating in an acting capacity, in lieu of the appointment of a substantive Copyright Administrator.”

Furthermore, Sections 72 and 73 of Copyright Act 690 enjoin the Copyright Office to submit audited accounts to the Minister of Justice who in turn must present it to Parliament.

They also pointed out their bewilderment at the Copyright Office’s silence on the recent arrest by the police of music producer Francis Mensah Twum of GAPI for massive internet piracy involving GAPI (an association of music producers) of over 5000 Ghanaian songs.

The GHAMRO leaders also stated that as a result of lack of supervision of activities of the Copyright Office, GAPI had been operating without proper checks and balances to the detriment of stakeholders and government, culminating in the office playing a major role in the collapse and bankrupt state of COSGA at its point of liquidation.

Private stakeholders including GHAMRO, after rescuing the situation and paying off COSGA’s debts, are once again being undermined.

They advised the other Collective Management Organisations (CMOs), ARSOG for audiovisuals and CopyGhana for literary works to be wary of the destabilisation and toxic tactics of certain people.

THEY ARE LIARS - SAYS FMR. PRAYE MEMBER

Praye Tenten, the “cast-away” member of the Praye hiplife trio has described as a big lie, the sentiments that were expressed by the other two members of the group that they miss him and are making approaches to him to return to the fold, especially now that they are considering celebrating their 10th anniversary in grand style.

Last Week, Showbiz carried a story in which Praye Tietia and Praye Honeho said they missed Praye Tenten.

“Yes, we have missed him. It is like you being brothers and losing one, you will definitely miss him. If you even have a close sibling and he travels abroad, you will miss the person regardless of whatever your differences are”

“We think that 10 years of doing music is no mean feat and it is only fair that we invite Praye Tenten to join us as a group to celebrate.

Our management has already thrown the invitation to him but that is not an indication that we can’t do without him.” Praye Tietia told Showbiz.

But Praye Tenten has rebutted the claim. He told Showbiz last Saturday that it is not true that the other members of the group miss him as they claim they do.

“Why hasn’t any of them called me if they claim they miss me? Why do they avoid my calls all the time? I just heard they would be celebrating their 10th year in music and all I can say is to wish them luck but no one has invited me.”

GOV'T CALLS ON PRIVATE SECTOR TO HELP BUILD BIGGER EVENT VENUES

The private sector has been urged to join forces with government to build bigger capacity entertainment venues in the country.

The country currently lacks bigger capacity venues for various entertainment events including concerts. This, according to experts, is to blame for the high cost of events tickets in the country.

Currently, event organizers depends on the Accra International Conference Centre, which seats about 2,500 audience and the National Theatre, which seats about 1,500 people for shows in the country. Some also use the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Dome at the Accra International Conference Centre, which is currently the country's biggest event venue, which seats about 6,000 people, has been closed down for renovation since 2012.

President John Mahama disclosed in August last year that the government has secured funding from Turkish Export and Import Bank to put up a second National Theatre in Kumasi to promote arts in the country. That project is expected to be bigger than Accra's National Theatre.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare speaking in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, urged the private sector to help government build bigger capacity venues in the country.

"The private centre should come on board to put up some of these big conference centres. Government is doing its part [by putting] up a facility in Kumasi, which is going to seat about 3,000 people. So we are encouraging the private to come on board" to help the government, she said.

According to her, "the way to go is for the private sector to invest in this industry because you are assured of returns... looking at the enabling environment for investors to invest in this sector, I think I will encourage people to take advantage of the economic season we have and the kind of incentives we are giving the private sector to do some of these things."

The Minister was speaking to Myjoyonline.com after the out-dooring of a-600-seater multipurpose conferencing and entertainment centre at the Labadi Beach Hotel last Friday.

The venue, according to the management of the hotel, is an ideal venue for business meetings, residential conferences, presentations, fashion shows, cocktails, dinners, and wedding receptions.

I DON’T REMEMBER SUCKING BIOLA’S BREASTS – MUNA

Nollywood actress, Biola Ige, and Enugu-based actor, Muna Obiekewe, have not been resting easy since a picture, portraying the two Thespians allegedly smooching, with Muna sucking Biola’s boobs went viral online.

Biola talked to me last week to explain her position, claiming that, what appeared in the picture must have been a trick of photoshop because, according to her, the scene never took place, during, before or after shooting of the film ‘Pregnant Hawkers’.

Now, Muna, based in Enugu, has opened up on the matter. It was quite hard, getting the fair-skinned actor to talk as he brusquely told me he doesn’t grant interviews, challenging me to bring any interview he has granted before.

I told him there is always a first time and the line went dead only for him to call back the next day to say, indeed, there is always a first time to everything in life. Here is our conversation:

Are you aware there is an x-rated picture of you and Biola Ige all over the internet, both of you partially naked, with you, sucking her boobs?

I was made aware of it. I don’t remember the movie. I also don’t remember sucking Biola’s breasts. If the movie exists, that scene never took place.

The film is ‘Pregnant Hawkers’ and were you and Biola Ige involved in any sensual scene where you were both nude, making love, real and unreal?

Like I told you, I don’t recall the movie. I do a lot of movies and I can’t remember what happens in all of them. The fact that I don’t recall means that the movie was shot a long time ago. Probably three or more years back. When love scene was in vogue with producers. I’m still searching for the movie to acquaint myself with the story.

There has never been anything between myself and any actress that I’ve made a movie with. My romantic relationships have always been outside the movie industry. I don’t take my work home.
But you seem to have the knack for romantic scenes. Why?

Love making scenes are normal in movies. When we   see them in foreign movies it’s nothing. But when it’s done here, people start questioning actors morality. Bear in mind that these scenes are not shot the way it’s finally seen when the movie comes out. Nothing ever actually happens. Not with about ten people in the production crew in the room with you.

I want to add that the aim in making movies is to enlighten people. You want them to see exactly what’s happening in the world around them. You want them shocked into action against whatever it is you’re trying to portray. Avoiding to touch, the sensibilities of people only result in those things you want seen and treated, ignored. In that regard, I try to make my acting as real as possible without actually doing something wrong.

How do you feel being labelled a porn star, because some people feel that is what you are actually becoming in the industry I’m not a porn star and I never will be. Love making scenes are sometimes inclusive in a movie and should be done with class. Sometimes editors and directors don’t edit or direct well and it comes out wrong. Will you call any of the American or British movie stars a porn star?

As a top brand in Nollywood and as a sex symbol: how do you handle advances from women?
I avoid them. And please, I’m not a sex symbol. I’ve done two hundred movies, out of which only about ten of them have anything concerning sex. Why are people concentrating on those? An actor, before he can be acknowledged as one, has to play quite a number of roles in his career.

WIZKID BREAKS UP WITH GIRLFRIEND

Nigerian superstar, Wizkid has finally confirmed the report making rounds that he has broken up with his beautiful girlfriend, Tania Omotayo.

Wizkid who has a son with another lady, Sola made this confirmation during a radio interview on the Drive Time show on Beat FM saying:

“My friend is fine. We’re cool. But I’m single now you know. But it’s all love. I got love for her. She’s like my best friend anyways.

There had been different speculations before now that all was not well in their relationship with claims that its as a result of Wizkid’s love for his son Boluwatife, thereby paying less attention to his girlfriend and also that Wizkid is trying hard to win back his baby mama.

Sources however said the Wizkid and his girlfriend had gone their separate ways since last year December.

MINISTER CALLS ON MUSIGA TO ACCOUNT FOR GH¢2M

The Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Dzifa Gomashie, revealed on Radio XYZ’s entertainment programme that government has not released its budgeted allocation to the creative art sector or industry.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, according to what the media learnt from its PRO, Mr. Prince Boakye Boateng, last year, is that, any money for the creative art industry released from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, shall be released into the ministry’s account for disbursal.

On Saturday 22nd March, 2014 edition of Celebrity XYZ on Radio XYZ, Madam Dzifa Gomashie, the Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, was asked if the government had released its budget allocation to the creative art industry.

“No, as we speak, government has not released the money to the ministry for the creative art sector” Madam Gomashie said. When asked how the GHC 2M the government budgeted for the creative art industry in its 2012 fiscal budget was used, she said “well, I can’t say much about that money, because I or my minister Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, were not in office. There’s not much I can say about that.

I recall it was MUSIGA that received it so if anything, MUSIGA, Obour and his team are the best people to answer this question. They should account for that money. So I suppose I’m not the one to say if I have anything concretely to share with you.”

For the first time in many uncountable years, the creative industry was duly recognized by the Government of Ghana with the budgetary allocation of GHC2million to the sector, but the anticipated merry-making, rather turned into bickering, finger-pointing, accusation and counter-accusation over which group has the right to lay claim to the money.
Below Are Evidence of The Confidential Proposal Letter MUSIGA Sent To The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning concerning the GHC 2million before its release.

Hon. Dr. Kwabena Duffour
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning
MoFEP
Accra

Hon. Dr. Duffour,

October 20, 2011

Budget 2012 – Proposal for Music Industry

As a follow up to our very encouraging meeting on Wednesday October 19, 2011, we wish to first and foremost express our profound appreciation for the attention you and your staff gave us. This gives us hope and the belief that we will not be left out in the pursuit of the Better Ghana agenda.

On your advice, we have managed to put together the attached proposal for your consideration. Given that this is our very first time of doing this, we shall be glad to make any amendments and corrections to ensure our proposal is in conformity with normal budgeting practice. Our total submission for the 2012 Budget Year is GHC5.5 million.

In order to be ready for implementation, we have put together a team of experts (including creative industries consultants and experts in finance, budgeting and auditing) to flesh out the details of the various items in this proposal, to be submitted against disbursement.

We shall also be glad to work with you to choose qualified professional auditors to ensure diligence, accountability and value for money.

While anticipating your most favorable response, please be rest assured that we the players in the music industry are ready and willing to contribute our quota toward all efforts of national development.

Yours sincerely,

Bice Obour Osei Kuffour
President, MUSIGA

BACKGROUND PAPER ON THE PROPOSALS FOR THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

SUBMITTED BY MUSICIANS UNION OF GHANA (MUSIGA) – OCTOBER , 2011

Creative Industries

Background

The creative industries are generally construed as a range of economic activities that deals with either the generation or exploitation of knowledge and information. It is defined by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in the United Kingdom as “those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.”(DCMS 2001, p. 04). Eleven creative sectors are recognized in this definition, namely:

Music
Film, video and photography
Visual and performing arts
Craft and antique markets
Design
Designer Fashion
Software, computer games and electronic publishing
Publishing
Advertising
Architecture
Television and Radio

The above list may further be reduced into two as follows: a) the core cultural industries and b) the text or cultural artifacts industries. The former encompass the advertising, marketing, broadcasting, film, internet, print and electronic publishing, video, computer and music industries.

The latter refers to those industries that create ‘texts’ or ‘cultural artifacts’ and which engage in some form of industrial reproduction. The Creative Industries may also be classified, at various stages, according to who owns what copyrights during the production and distribution of a creative content (WIPO). This is very true of complex creative properties (e.g., films), for which the production requires diversely skilled inputs that must be present and performed at some minimum level to produce a valuable outcome. It is also the case where the products are differentiated by quality and uniqueness (e.g., works of creative writing, whether poetry, novel, or screenplays). It is also true in products where skills are vertically differentiated. Artists, for instance, are ranked in accordance to their skills, originality, and proficiency in creative processes and/or products since small differences in skills and talent tend to yield huge differences in financial success.

Globally, trade in creative goods and services have remained largely robust despite the financial and economic meltdown following the world financial crisis. Global trade in services and products of creativity continues to register an impressive annual average growth of 14 per cent (Creative Economy Report 2010: A Feasible Development Option). Global exports of creative goods and services between 2002 and 2008 reached nearly US$600 billion with developing countries accounting for 43% (i.e., US$176 billion) with an annual rate of growth of 13.5%. Nigeria’s share of this market is sizeable where the country’s $2.75 billion film industry is the third largest in the world after the United States and India. That country’s creative industries produce more than 1,000 films and music products annually and create thousands of in-country jobs. The creative industries are now the second most important industry after oil. To reposition the industry, the Federal Government has recently invested in the film, music and artifacts industries, and reformed policies and provided critical training to actors and players in the industry.

There is no gainsaying that Ghana can also benefit immensely if it begins to tap her creative economy particularly those of the music and film industries. This is because if well-nurtured, along with the traditional and the oil & gas sectors, the creative economy can be a source of enormous growth, job creation, innovation and trade. Fortunately, Ghana has many styles of traditional and modern music, due to its multiplicity of ethnic groups and its cosmopolitan geographic position in West Africa. The best known modern genre that originated in Ghana is Highlife with its latest rendition being the Hiplife. Highlife incorporates elements of swing, jazz, rock, ska, samba and soukous.

Boosting the Music Industry

MUSIGA, which acts as the main umbrella trade union body of the country’s music industry, serves as the main work horse of the Ghanaian music industry. To reposition the music industry will require strengthening the institutional structures of MUSIGA. This will involve rebranding MUSIGA to render it more attractive and lucrative to songwriters, performers, composers and publishers, internal and external industry players like event organizers and the country’s policymakers in particular. It will also involve undertaking deliberate programmes with local and foreign partners and government across the country to create needed vertical and lateral jobs and wealth for industry players.

One important programme that will be pursued is the continuous development of all the professionals within the industry through seminars and workshops to acquire the needed skills. To this end, MUSIGA would set up world class Music Industry Development Centre to promote and market its creative products both locally and internationally. An annual Music Fair is also in the pipeline to serve as a platform for promoting music as a viable business endeavor. If this proves successful, in subsequent years, it will be organized internationally outside the borders of Ghana.

In conformity with current international practice, there is an urgent need to establish a national music council which will serve as an umbrella body for all players in the music industry. To this end, MUSIGA, working in collaboration with other industry players will purse ongoing efforts towards the establishment of the National Music Council by the end of 2012.

To implement all of the above for Ghana to reap the full benefits from the music industry requires ample investment. While MUSIGA is stepping up efforts to enhance its own income generation, like all other industries, it would need support from the Government, and it is the fervent hope of the entire musical fraternity that, as part of the Better Ghana agenda, and for the first time in the history of Ghana, the music industry would be given the full attention and support it deserve, by being catered for in the 2012 national budget.

Bice Obour Osei Kuffour

President, MUSIGA

MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS (MAMAS) RETURN AFTER 3 YEARS

After the three-year hiatus, MTV Base has announced that the awards show and music celebration, MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) will hold this year.

The announcement was made in Durban, South Africa by Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, Alex Okosi.

MTV Africa Music Awards 2014, which is sponsored by South Africa’s leading Tourist destination, KwaZulu-Natal Province and supported by Absolut, will hold at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa on Saturday, 7 June 2014.

Celebrating musicians and achievers who have made the most impact on African youth culture throughout the year, MAMA 2014 will feature performances from Nigerian artistes along with other African and international artistes.

The awards will also include signature collaborations between artistes of different genres and cultures, which will be the high point of every show.

Artistes will be recognised in 13 different award categories including Best Male, Best Female and Best New Act.

This year, three new “lifestyle” awards will be added to the music categories, including the “MAMA Leadership Award” and “Personality of the Year”.

A special award, “Transform Today by Absolut” will celebrate the power of young individuals to transform the image of Africa through their creativity and vision.

The awards will be preceded by three “Road to MAMA” events in Durban, South Africa, Lagos, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya, building up to the main show, featuring MAMA nominees alongside the most current local artistes and DJs. The events will take place during April and May 2014.

The 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards will premiere on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), MTV (DStv Channel 130) and other partner channels around the continent in June 2014.