ALHAJI SIDIKU BUARI, president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), and vice president of the International Federation of Musicians (IFM) was not left out of this year’s Ghana Music Awards.

He was presented with an award at the Industry And Highlife Night at the plush La Palm Royal hotel, which preceded the main event that was climaxed last Sunday.

The award was in recognition of his immense contribution to the music industry in Ghana.

Alhaji told Beatwaves in an exclusive interview yesterday that he was happy to have received the award, and stated that he deserved the award because of the many sacrifices he had made towards the industry since the early 80s when he had to turn down a lucrative contract with a USA radio station to fly back to Ghana in the fight for the recognition of Ghanaian musicians.

According to him, for nearly 25 years, MUSIGA had no offices of its own but through his and others’ efforts, coupled with cooperation of the government, they secured the old passport office for the association.

He related further that the office was later left redundant as there was no money to raise it until he came to renovate it, on being elected president of MUSIGA in 1999.

“In 1999 when I was elected the president of MUSIGA, knowing very well that I could not operate without an office, I made sure the office was renovated,” said Alhaji.

His efforts did not end there, he said; they went further to organise elections at the regional capitals as part of MUSIGA activities.

This, he said, re-activated strong bodies that were helping to enhance the music industry today. During the 2000 general elections, he disclosed, he mobilized musicians in the country to preach peace.

Alhaji stressed he was at the forefront when stakeholders pushed parliament to review the copyright law 690. The law, he said, had been charging pirates only one million cedis but this had been reviewed.

Further, he pleaded with government to reduce the heavy duties on musical instruments and today, musicians get their equipment tax free.

Alhaji continued that his contributions were many but to mention few, MUSIGA was able to encourage musicians to play live band, having provided them with free equipment to learn with.

“I have mounted the equipment for free at MUSIGA office to enable musicians come and learn to play live band.” This, he stated confidently, benefited the country’s young musicians immensely.