MUSIGA full of mafias – Ambolley

Ghanaian highlife legend, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, has expressed worry with how the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) handles music business, describing the union as full of mafias.

Speaking to Natalia Andoh on Touch of Class on Class91.3FM on Thursday, 10 May 2018, Ambolley said he does not want to be part of the union because of the “mafiarism” there.

“Although MUSIGA is our house, that’s where I belong, but the mafiarism that is going on there disallows you to be part,” he stated.

He accused executives of the union of lacking knowledge of showbiz yet occupy top positions in the music industry.

The multiple award-winning musician further chastised the executives of MUSIGA accusing them of misappropriating funds allocated to the union by government.

“From what the government gave, about GHS2 million and this is the first time, what has come out of it? The guys there have just separated the money into their own making and all that, and it is not helping the musicians,” he alleged.

He continued: “We cannot have that kind of money and still go out and solicit money for the aged musicians. [There are] no proper policies, or something could have been set aside for the musicians, because there are great musicians that have contributed but sometimes if these people die and you go to their funeral, it’s pathetic, because what they have to be receiving is not coming.”

The veteran also criticised the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) for poor systems and lack of transparency to the disadvantage of musicians.

“Sometimes you sit there and GHAMBRO will send you mobile money. How can you send somebody mobile money without telling the person how much money has come in, how much money has been used for administration and how much money is there for us to share? It’s just a joke,” he noted.

The Simigwa Do rapper will be honoured by Oak Plaza Hotel on 25 May 2018 for his contribution to the music industry.