MUSIGA issues statement on Ghana Music Week account

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has just released a lengthy statement on the just ended maiden edition of Ghana Music Week. This move was necessitated following pressure from some section of the media and some regional executives for leadership of the union to release a comprehensive statement that covers everything about the week-long music festival. 

Read the full unedited Statement from MUSIGA below:

The Leadership of the Musicians Union of Ghana have noticed with grave appreciation the massive interest expressed by the general public and media about reports on the maiden edition of Ghana Music Week.

We acknowledge that communication has not been exactly good after the GMW, nonetheless, as a new event brand that relied highly on corporate sponsorship, we had to wait for full confirmation of the sponsorship as well as confirmed invoices from suppliers before an official Financial Report on GMW 2013 was finalized for general consumption.

The release of this statement, however, has become necessary at this time to clear the air on a number of issues in the media, suggesting that some members of the Union have been demanding answers, including Financial Report on Ghana Music Week; even though we are yet to complete one to be filed for anyone who may want to use it.

Ghana Music Week 2013, without a doubt, has recorded some important positives as well as numerous challenges to improve on, in the future. Below are some details worth knowing about the 2013 GMW:
The first edition of Ghana Music Week (GMW) Festival was held from March 4th to 10th, 2013 at the National Theater and Accra Sports Stadium.

Key activities of GMW were: Ghana Unity Concert (Accra Sports Stadium, March 6); Ghana Music Honours (National Theatre, March 9th); Sales & Exhibition, Stakeholder Dialogue, GMW Forum, Instruments Training Session, Azonto Dance Fiesta, Talent Discovery Nite,Comedy & Concert Party, Highlife Jam and a clean-up Exercise.

3. Ghana Music Week is a Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) event.

4. Yendis Media Consultancy was the official Sponsorship Agency for GMW

5. Organising Partners were The National Theater and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.

6. Cash Sponsors were: GGBL (Smirnoff), Airtel, RLG Communications, DKT International, Global Access Savings & Loans and Ashfoam.
Donors were Eurostar Global Limousines, British Council, Erata Hotel, Earl Beam Hotel and Hanlord Travel and Tours.

7. Events of GMW were produced by: Musiga, E-volution International, EKB Production, Positiv Production and Access Backstage

8. Artistes, visitors / attendants- Over 300 artistes and musicians, including a traditional group from each of the 10 regions, performed at the 2013 GMW, which attracted about 11,500 persons in all activities.

9. Publicity: Integrated campaign was rolled out between Jan. 15 and March 15, 2013 on: a. Radio- Joy FM, Okay FM, Peace FM, Y-FM, Radio Gold, Montie FM, Hitz FM,Rainbow Radio;

b. Television- TV3, GTV, TV Africa, Crystal TV and GH-One TV.

c. Print- Daily Graphic, Graphic Showbiz, Daily Guide, Flex Newspaper and TheMirror

d. Outdoor and marketing collaterals: billboards (25 sites), posters (10,000),flyers (16.000), banners (21 pieces). There were two major floats with 50 canvassers to promote GMW.

Summary of Unaudited Financial Report

NB: Under this part, it is worth knowing that there is a limit to which information about agreements signed with corporate sponsors can be laid in the public domain. That notwithstanding, every MUSIGA member in good membership-standing has the right as per our constitution to access any information they may need ONLY through the right channels (The General Secretary and Treasurer).

Also, considering that, the union is yet to receive over 75% of the funds from corporate sponsors; and that quite a number of suppliers are yet to be paid; a full financial report will be released as at when final settlements are made.

The core objectives of management were to establish a unique brand worth investing in the future as well as effectively manage cost to the bearest minimum.

Revenue:
Funds generated directly from Ghana Music Week totaled Ghs 528,500.00. This amount however, includes a receivable of Ghs 408,000.00 from key Sponsors.

Also, out of The Government of Ghana allocation of GHC2million, an amount GHC 540,000 was used to support the event.

Expenditure:
A sum of Ghs 1,061,971.50 was accrued as total expenditure on GMW 2013. As a prudent measure, full cost has been reported though not all expenses have been fully settled. At the time of this Statement, payable amount sums up to Ghs452,010.00.

Notes
• The Financial Statement was prepared from the information, documents and explanations made available by the Treasurer and Finance Office, Event Planningcommittee, other sub committees, Musiga National Executive Committee, Event Consultants and Marketing Agency.

• It is important to note that all and every cheque paid by sponsors in relation to GMW were directly paid into MUSIGA accounts. This makes it very easy for any member of the Union, in good standing, to access information at all times.

Conclusion:
All in all, the key objective of establishing a BRAND has been made. This being the maiden edition, the core objective wasn’t to make profit but to minimize cost as much as possible and to establish a marketably decent brand worth investing in the future.

We would like to assure all musicians, Executives of the Union and the General Public that a detail report, including accounts on the usage of the Two Million Ghana Cedis Government support, part of which was used for GMW, will be available in the Musiga Annual Report of 2013/2014.

Meanwhile, members of Musiga in good standing may always request any information, including detail financial statements of the Union, through the Treasurer or Office of the General Secretary.

The National Head office will hold a Press Conference on Wednesday 17 April, 2013 at 2pm during which more information will be shared on the subject matter. We appreciate the patience of members and the general public while we take time to do a diligent job and render account for our stewardship.

It is important to note that the Union for the first time released an annual report on all of its activities last year including how the Government allocation of GHC 2million is been used and we assure all our members we shall present an audited accounts to the Ministry of Finance, Parliament and the good people of Ghana.

Together, let’s all support and make Ghana Music Week, that International standard festival brand, we all desire. Thank you.
Signed

Mrs.Deborah Anaman
General Secretary
MUSIGA

Signed
Oheneba Kissi
Treasurer
Musiga

Email: musigaonline@gmail.com
URL: www.musiga.org.gh
PRO contact: Okyeame Kwame – 0240676673
Musiga Administrator: Ahuma Bosco – 0243382474
Musiga Communications Director: Sakyiwaa Akosua