Yaw Sarpong, Maame Tiwaa Not in Good Standing – MUSIGA Clarifies
MUSIGA explains welfare policy, says inactive members are not entitled to full benefits
- MUSIGA says only members in good standing qualify for full welfare benefits
- Yaw Sarpong and Maame Tiwa were not active members due to unpaid dues
- Union still offers humanitarian support but urges musicians to stay registered and active
The President of the Musicians Union of Ghana, Bessa Simons, together with the union’s Second Vice President, Abena Ruthy, has clarified concerns surrounding the union’s welfare support, stating that only members in good standing are entitled to full benefits.
The leaders explained that members who fail to pay their dues for more than six months or remain inactive lose access to the union’s full welfare packages.
Addressing the GH₵500 donation made during the one-week commemoration of gospel musician Yaw Sarpong, they revealed that he was not in good standing with the union at the time. Despite this, MUSIGA offered support on humanitarian grounds, as it has done for other musicians who are not active members.
“The last time he paid his dues was about seven years ago,” Bessa Simons stated.
They further explained that although members aged 60 and above benefit from the union’s Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund, Yaw Sarpong did not qualify due to his prolonged inactivity.
The leadership also addressed reports of a GH₵100 donation at the funeral of Maame Tiwaa, clarifying that she too was not a member in good standing. They noted that the donation did not come from MUSIGA but from another group, which included a member of the union’s leadership.
According to the executives, the union often extends support to non-members on compassionate grounds, even though such assistance falls outside its official welfare and insurance provisions.
They cited instances where MUSIGA has helped families of non-members, including facilitating arrangements for state-assisted funerals, despite the individuals not being registered with the union.
However, they emphasized that when a registered member in good standing passes away, MUSIGA provides a minimum donation of GH₵5,000, along with access to pension and insurance benefits designed to support members during times of need.
The leadership therefore urged musicians and industry professionals to formally register with the union and remain active to fully benefit from its welfare schemes.
