Music producers ask artistes to boycott Ghana Music Awards

Accra, April 27, GNA - Music producers have advised all artistes under contract with them to boycott the Ghana Music Awards 2007 scheduled for Friday night.

In a letter to the Executive Director of Charter House, which is organising the Awards, the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry (GAPI) voiced its discontent at the way music producers have been ignored by the organisers.

"We (also) want to state that until your organisation streamlines your programme and involves GAPI, the recognised record label association in the country, none of our artistes should be nominated for any future awards," the letter signed by Mr John Mensah Sarpong, President of the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry said. GAPI said it found it strange that in spite of the massive investment injected into the production of musical works by some of its members, this year's nomination of the Record Label of the Year went to someone else.

"We want to draw your attention to the fact that year after year, some of our members have to their credit several albums that are released which have an impact on the listening public." The music producers said their protests had been treated with impunity, adding that their involvement in the nomination processes had been minimal. "We are advising all artistes under contract with our members nominated for this year's award to boycott the event," it said.