Musicians Fight Diana Hopeson Over MUSIGA Merit Award

A number of Ghanaian musicians who witnessed the Industrial Awards Night on April 9 at the Accra International Conference centre have condemned the organizers of the awards for honouring Diana Hopeson with the MUSIGA Merit Award.

The musicians who were happy with the Life Time Achievement Award given Pat Thomas noted that Pat Thomas really deserved the award because he had contributed so much to the Ghanaian music industry.

On Diana Hopeson’s award, the musicians were of the view that she did not deserve such an award because her contribution to the industry was not enough to merit the award.

According to them, the likes of Dr. K Gyasi, C.K Mann, Alhaji Sidiku Buari and the late Jerry Hanson among others deserved recognition from the organizers of the awards, adding that the award was given to Diana Hopeson as compensation from Obour.

It is interesting to note that all the musicians interviewed after the event condemned the president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) for nominating Diana Hopeson for the award, but the Communication Director at MUSIGA, Nana Yaw Osei-Darkwa, was quick to say that Obour was only called to present the award to Diana Hopeson at the ceremony.

Defending further, Nana Yaw Osei-Darkwa noted that Obour did not play any role in nominating Diana Hopeson for the award, adding that the only role Obour played was presenting the award to her.

The musicians hinted that Alhaji Sidiku Buari, Dr K. Gyasi and Jerry Hanson needed to be rewarded for their immense contribution to the progress of Ghanaian music.

They said former president of MUSIGA, Sidiku Buari, had contributed so much towards the progress of the Ghanaian music industry.

They were of the view that during Alhaji Sidiku Buari’s administration, all was well and musicians were not left out as they were made to receive their royalties yearly to supplement their income.

They disclosed that Alhaji Sidiku Buari was among those who played an important role in the sustenance of the Ghana Music Awards which was introduced in the year 2000.

He worked tirelessly together with the organisers of the event, Charter House, until his term of office expired. He made sure the event take place to reward the deserving musicians over the past years.

He believed the event was laudable and would help musicians to improve on their skills. Today, Ghanaians, musicians and non-musicians alike are proud of the award scheme, which is one of the best musical awards in Africa.