GHc2M wahala: Money Is For Musicians Not Creative Industry - Rex Omar

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) stated that contrary to reports that government allocated GHc2 million to the creative industry, the money was solely given to the musicians of Ghana.

Government for the first time made an allocation of GHc2 million in the 2012 budget presented before Parliament in November 2011 to the creative industry.

The allocation of the money gained centre stage last week, when President John Dramani Mahama during his policy presentation disclosed that he will meet personnel from the creative industry to discuss the disbursement of the money.

It however came to light earlier this week that, by the time the President was making the statement; half of the amount had already been accessed by musicians’ body.

Veteran hi-life musician, Rex Omar speaking on Hitz FM stressed that the money solely belongs to the musicians union, contrary to speculations.

According to him, “MUSIGA applied for GHc2 million and it has been given to MUSIGA,” adding, if the money was meant for the creative industry, “how come MUSIGA was able to access it and not the creative industry?”“MUSIGA sent a specific proposal to do specific things," he added.

Rex Omar, who also doubles as the Chairman of Business for MUSIGA, cautioned that this shouldn’t be the time for division between members of the creative industry.

The Abiba singer said government made it known in the budget that for year 2012, it was recognizing the creative industry and the music industry is the first to receive its share.

He disclosed that MUSIGA has already started utilizing part of the money they have accessed and they will “do a document that will come out to tell government the contributions of the music industry to the [country’s] GDP and also how many jobs,” they have created.

Source: Hitz FM