The acting President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons has averred that if the government doesn’t lift the ban on public performances, there will only be few musicians left in the country.
According to Bessa Simons, it’s been over a year since the ban;was announced and due to this, most musicians are losing out financially. Therefore, he is calling on the government to lift the ban. He further averred that if the government appreciates their plights, it will have no choice but to lift the ban.
“I know that a lot has to go in for the lifting of any ban. We are saying that it’s been a while now and I know they are looking into it. But we are saying that, if they are looking into it seriously, then, they;should also listen to what is happening to us too. Then they will realize that they will have to lift the ban. It’s been more than a year and it’s really putting a strain on us. Because if care is not taken, there will only be a few musicians left in the country at the end of the day”.
Bessa promises artists will keep to their word
It can be recalled that Bessa Simons, through MUSIGA recently wrote a letter to the President appealing to the government to lift the ban on public performances. In the letter, Bessa Simons emphasized that they will adhere strictly to the safety protocols.
He iterated the conditions they will put in place when the ban is lifted as he was asked what measures the union will put in place should they be given the nod to have public performances.
“We will just observe all the safety protocols like it’s stated in the letter. We don’t want to be a breeding ground for the pandemic. So, if we are given the chance, we will diligently obey the safety protocols. After all, you don’t destroy the place that you get your food”
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Artists keep lamenting on the issue
In the same vein, when asked if he receives complaints from musicians concerning the ban, he answered: “Daily! There have been daily complaints from musicians from all the regions and it’s just not the best”.
He further stated that the Union wants Akuffo Addo to consider their plea as they “promise to adhere to the protocols”.
When asked what the Union plans on doing in case the President turns deaf ear to their plea, Bessa Simons stated that the best they can do is to keep reminding the government of how “important the issue is to musicians in Ghana”. However, they are only hopeful that their request will be met because they are facing a lot due to this ban.
“We can’t keep the complaints to ourselves. So, all we can do is to put it out there so that the government will know.
“Well, I know the government will listen to us. Because in the President’s last address to the nation, he said something to the effect that they are going to set up a team to look into our case. So, I know they are working on it and will lift the ban”.
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