The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has a rich history dating back to 1975 with a mission to promote and protect the interests of musicians in the country. Over the years, the union has been led by prominent figures such as E.T. Mensah, Jerry Hanson, and Kofi Ghanaba, among others.
However, MUSIGA faced various challenges in its early years, including lackluster membership engagement and minimal funding. This led to a sense of disconnection with younger artists and a feeling of stagnation within the organization.
Enter Obour, a young and ambitious artist who became the youngest president of MUSIGA at the age of 30. During his tenure from 2011 to 2019, Obour spearheaded significant initiatives that revitalized the union and transformed Ghana’s music industry.
One of Obour’s notable achievements was the Artiste Incubation Programme, which nurtured emerging talents like Kidi, Kuami Eugene, and King Promise. He also introduced a loan scheme in partnership with Midland Savings and Loans to provide financial support for musicians.
Furthermore, Obour established the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund to assist older artists and organized the Grand Ball fundraiser to support the fund. He modernized MUSIGA’s membership system, leading to a significant increase in membership.
Obour’s advocacy efforts also secured government funding for MUSIGA, enabling the launch of various programs like the Ghana Music Festival and MUSIGA TV. However, his presidency was not without controversy, as allegations of mismanagement and nepotism surfaced.
After stepping down in 2019 to pursue a career in politics, MUSIGA saw a transition in leadership to Bessa Simons. The current landscape of the union has struggled to maintain the momentum created during Obour’s era, with many programs falling by the wayside.
