We have not endorsed any Presidential candidate – MUSIGA

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) says whilst it respects the right of its members to express their political preferences openly, the Union remains politically non-aligned.

A group, calling itself Creative Arts for Change, made up of musicians, producers, actors, writers and other professionals in the creative arts industry Monday pledged its unflinching support for the Presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo after during a courtesy call on him at his Nima residence Monday.

The meeting was attended by several personalities from the creative industry including renowned hi-life musician, Kwabena Kwabena; movie producer and Public Relations Officer of the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Socrate Sarfo; and music producer, Mark Okraku Mantey.

Musicians such as hi-life great, Jewel Ackah and Lucky Mensah have also openly declared their support for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its Presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

But a statement released by the musicians’ union said “It has come to our notice that some individual musicians are openly endorsing political candidates for this year’s elections. We place on record that these endorsements are the decisions of individuals and not that of the Musicians Union of Ghana.”

The statement signed by Mrs Deborah Anaman, General Secretary of MUSIGA stressed that as a union actively involved in helping promote national peace and unity, “we cannot be taking sides and engaging in partisan politics.”

It further noted that MUSIGA is currently embarking on series of activities to promote peace, tolerance and unity before, during and after the elections and “can therefore not act irresponsibly by going public to endorse any candidate. That will defeat the very purpose of our peace and tolerance campaign. The Musicians Union of Ghana is constituted of individuals of different political persuasions and for that matter cannot superimpose any particular political candidate on its members.”

MUSIGA therefore condemned any attempt by any person or group of persons to create the impression that the Union is endorsing one political party or another.

“We are therefore calling on all Ghanaians to treat the news of MUSIGA endorsing a particular candidate with all the contempt it deserves. The said endorsement remains the views of individuals some of whom may not even be registered or card bearing members of the union.”

The statement concluded that: “We are committed to working with any government the good people of Ghana elect to steer the affairs of this great country of ours. We encourage the general public to participate in the upcoming MUSIGA Peace Concerts scheduled for Saturday 10th November and 1st December in Kumasi and Accra respectively.”

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