The President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bessa Simons, has expressed concern over the growing shortage of guitar players in the country.
Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio, Simons linked the situation to his campaign initiative, “One Musician, One Musical Instrument.” He noted that while the pledge has yet to be fully realized, efforts are still underway to achieve it.
“When I said one musician, one musical instrument, it means it’s important for every musician to learn how to play an instrument. It adds value. Music requires multiple streams of income, and with our partnership with Virtual Sounds, every musician can acquire an instrument through a facility that allows installment payments after an initial deposit,” he explained.
According to Simons, the need for instrumental training has become more urgent due to the decline in guitarists across Ghana.
“If you don’t know how to play the guitar, especially now that we are running short of guitarists, there are plenty of opportunities out there. You can play in churches, bands, and it also helps you understand music better,” he added.
He encouraged musicians to register with MUSIGA, highlighting that the union continues to roll out initiatives aimed at improving members’ welfare, professional opportunities, and working conditions.
In a related development, MUSIGA is preparing to launch Ghana’s first all-female music festival, SheRhythms, on Friday, 29th August 2025, ahead of the main event scheduled for December.
Established in 1975, MUSIGA has been at the forefront of advocating for Ghanaian musicians’ rights, focusing on fair remuneration, welfare, education, and intellectual property. The union also supports training programs, cultural outreach, insurance schemes, and initiatives to preserve Ghana’s rich musical heritage.