Ghana: MUSIGA launches anti-corruption drive

Other establishments involved in the drive include NGOs Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana, and the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII).

At the launch, GII executive director and chairperson at the event Linda Ofori-Kwafo spoke about the government's National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACAP).

"The framers of NACAP have rightly indicated the role MUSIGA can play in this fight against corruption," she said. "According to NACAP, MUSIGA can use music and drama to create awareness about what corruption entails and its various forms for members of the public to engage them in the fight."

NACAP was approved for implementation by Ghana's Parliament in 2011. It is "expected to contextualise and mobilise efforts and resources of stakeholders to prevent and fight corruption through the promotion of high ethics and integrity as well as vigorous enforcement of applicable laws".

Its main method is the integration of "anti-corruption measures into the programs and activities of public sector organisations and allows for collective action and sustained coordination of efforts as well as the judicious application of resources to combat corruption".

MUSIGA president Bice Osei Kuffour asked that Ghana's creative artists join in the campaign against corruption. MUSIGA will lead the campaign by releasing a song and video featuring Ghanaian acts talking about the dangers of corruption. Another part of the campaign will see the union stage a walk in Ghana's capital Accra. 

A video featuring members of the Ghana Actors Guild will also be produced and released to the public. Sam Fiscian, who heads the guild, was present at the launch and pledged to ensure the campaign's success. 

The organisers of the launch took the opportunity to announce preparatory plans for the 2019 Ghana Music Week. This year, the annual event will take place under the theme, The Role of Music in the Implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Plan.

As part of Ghana Music Week's programming, MUSIGA will organise a gospel concert and the highly anticipated Presidential Grand Ball, among others.