MUSIGA addresses GH¢500 funeral contribution to Yaw Sarpong’s family

Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) President Bessa Simons has addressed the backlash that followed the union’s GH¢500 donation to the family of the late Gospel legend Yaw Sarpong, explaining that the amount was meant for the one-week observation and not the main funeral.

MUSIGA made the cash donation on February 19, 2026, during the one-week observation held in Kumasi in honour of the late singer.

The gesture sparked conversations online, with some social media users criticising the union for what they described as a small donation.

Responding to the concerns in an interview on TV3 on February 20, 2026, MUSIGA President Bessa Simons clarified that contributions at one-week observations are traditionally modest, as they serve as a precursor to the main funeral rites.

MUSIGA donates GH¢500 for the late Yaw Sarpong's funeral

“That’s just for the one-week observation. You know, when we have the one week like this, it’s a preparation towards the main funeral. Nobody goes and does big things; we do things in moderation,” Bessa Simons said.

He further explained that MUSIGA, like many other organisations in Ghana, typically does not make substantial donations during one-week observations when it is not the final funeral ceremony.

Bessa Simons further stressed that the focus should be on the life and impact of Yaw Sarpong rather than the amount donated.

“The point is, even with MUSIGA, we don’t do anything at a one week, and most organisations don’t do anything. It’s something everybody knows. If you go and give 50,000 at the one week, then at the main funeral you’ve got to do about 600,000. But the point is, we don’t want this to overshadow Yaw Sarpong’s legacy,” he added.

Yaw Sarpong passed away on January 20, 2026, in Kumasi at the age of 66 after battling illness for some time.

Watch the interview below:

“If MUSIGA donated 50,000 cedis at the one-week celebration, how much will they contribute at the final funeral rites?” - Bessa Simons, President of MUSIGA#Showbiz360 #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/oHt9OkvsKX

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 20, 2026