ONE OF the country’s leading musicians, Nana Gyedu Blay Ambolley, whose music is recognized internationally has called for a probe into the activities of certain key players who he alleged are killing the music industry in Ghana.

He said the committee which would be set up to probe those in charge of the music industry should be given the mandate to prosecute all those who had embezzled funds meant to support the growth of the industry.

He stressed that the stakeholders should also take strict measures against those believed to be behind piracy in the country.

"I am curious about previous financial records of both our music union and COSGA. Musicians are owed an explanation," said Ambolley.

According to him the probe into the activities of certain key players in the music industry had been long overdue and that if care was not taken a time would come when the music industry would cease to exist.

“The time has come for the stakeholders to wipe out all the fraudsters who are enriching themselves at the expense of the poor Ghanaian musicians who are dying like beggars on the streets.”

Nana Ambolley was of the view that if the stakeholders wanted the music industry to see progress, then they had to come together and fight corruption in the industry, adding that those managing the affairs of the industry had a lot of questions to answer, “and from those answers we would know those who have mismanaged the affairs of the music industry and those who have not.”

Speaking in an interview with the DAILY GUIDE in Accra, Nana Gyedu Blay Ambolley said the music industry has had so many problems which needed urgent attention, adding “we need to put in place personalities who have the skills and credibility to run the industry.”

He declared this is the time for all musicians in Ghana to stand up and fight for their right because the industry does not belong to one person but all musicians.

Ambolley, who could not hide his feelings, said things must change before the end of this year and urged all Ghanaian musicians to come together and forge ahead.

On the issue of monies collected on behalf of musicians, Ambolley said “it is our right to know the total amount collected on our behalf by COSGA. We need to know the total amount collected before distribution and criteria used in the distribution should be made public.”

He disclosed that Ebo Hawkson and members of the oversight committee were kicked out of the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) due to their failure to give account of their stewardship.

He accused the present COSGA board of not having been transparent in its activities for the past eight years.

Nana Ambolley as well called on the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) to organize its coming election in Accra instead of Sunyani, saying majority of Ghanaian musicians were based in Accra and Kumasi.