Multiple award-winning Ghanaian rapper Edem has revealed a somewhat hidden reason why most musicians in the country apply to be members of the Musicians Union of Ghana, (MUSIGA).
In his view, MUSIGA, a union which was supposed to equip the Ghanaian musician to be self-reliant, creative and industrious has now become an avenue for Visa racketeering.
“MUSIGA membership, mostly, people take that membership because they want to travel abroad. You get the card so when you get to the embassy, you will not talk plenty. Aside that, there is nothing you really do,” he told Giovanni on the 3FM Drive.
The Musicians Union of Ghana, Musiga, created with the purpose of uniting musicians under a single organization to safeguard their rights has been under constant criticism over the last eight years.
Edem joins the many musicians in Ghana who have lost interest in the union saying he believes MUSIGA will not do any better than it was despite having a new president. He congratulated Highlife Musician Bessa Simons for being elected as the new president but expressed little hope in the growth of the union and its effect on the industry.
“Congratulations Uncle Bessa. If the institution has been there for years from Sidiku Buari, to Diana Hopeson. I can’t also undermine some of the things they’ve done but I’m saying that once MUSIGA is not run as a business, I don’t think it will thrive.”
Edem is promoting his new single ‘We Don’t Really Care’, a song which preaches care-free life and party.