Ambolley warns of vote rigging in MUSIGA’s election

Afro jazz musician and saxophonist, Nana Gyedu Blay Ambolley, has alleged that some people are conniving with a number of ‘mafias’ within Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) to rig the forthcoming MUSIGA election slated for October 29 in Koforidua.

About 150 delegates will converge at the Eastern regional capital, Koforidua, to elect executives who will steer the affairs of the music union for the next four years.

Ambolley, who is unhappy with the preparation for the election, told BEATWAVES that he would not accept any attempt to rig the outcome of the MUSIGA election, adding, “I do not want a leader to be imposed on musicians in Ghana.”

According to him, there are serious indications that the collating of votes may be subject to deliberate interference by some ‘mafias’ within the music union to favour their choice of candidate.

Gyedu Blay Ambolley and recording engineer and producer, Appiah Dankwa, aka Appietus, have filed forms to challenge incumbent Bice Osei Kuffour, also known as Obour, for the presidency of the union.

In a related development, ace female highlife musician Akosua Agyapong has called on the entire members of MUSIGA to vote Obour out of office on October 29.

She alleged that members of MUSIGA have not benefitted from Obour’s four-year term as MUSIGA president.

Akosua Agyapong said Obour’s administration has failed to account for the GH¢2million government gave to the creative arts industry.

Although an audited report, according to Obour, had been made available to the Ministry of Finance and could also be accessed at the MUSIGA offices, Akosua mentioned that Obour has failed the MUSIGA and music stakeholders in the country.

Akosua Agyapong in an interview with Adom FM disclosed that musicians did not derive any real benefit from the Ghana Music Week Festival organised by Obour.

“What I know is that the music week was organised by the Music Council so Obuor has to account for the GH¢2million,” she said.

Akosua Agyapong is worried that MUSIGA cannot even boast of one recording studio to support up-and-coming artistes who do not have money to pay for recording their albums.

She disclosed that MUSIGA has been hiring musical instruments and PA systems for its events, which is an indication of bad leadership because MUSIGA should have such equipment by now.

Akosua Agyapong added that Obour also failed to plan for the aged musicians who are currently not able to pay their hospital bills.