Ghana: Inside MUSIGA’s 2019 elections

Musician Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, who is one of the musicians running for union president went to court on 5 July and requested an injunction to stop the National Executive Committee (NEC) elections from taking place on 10 July. Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo of the High Court of Ghana granted him the injunction on 9 July and set 23 July as the hearing date for the case.

In the Writ of Summons submitted to the high court on 5 July and seen by Music In Africa, Appiah-Levi who was mentioned as the plaintiff declared that the current voters register compiled by MUSIGA, which was listed as the defendant, could not guarantee a fair and transparent election.

Subsequently, in his statement of claim, Appiah-Levi asked the court to either order the union to compile a new list of voters register or appoint an interim electoral committee to run the elections pending the election of the new leadership.

Appiah-Levi also said that the current elections scheme, which allows members to vote in any part of the country regardless of where they registered, was not feasible.

Appiah-Levi told Music In Africa that he decided to go to court after his efforts to get the union's arbitrary and disciplinary committee to act on his concern went unresolved.

"MUSIGA has secretariats from 10 regions in Ghana, so we need a regional-based voters registration list. That's the only way we can guarantee transparency," he said.

In a letter dated 1 July, Appiah-Levi sort to find out among other things, why members who had not renewed their membership with the union were on the voters register and why new members were not included in the voter's list.

Appiah-Lev likewise wanted answers on why the list had members registered in the wrong region. And why the release of the voters' register for display and verification for all the 10 regions took long.

Appiah-Levi also wanted the election committee to provide all aspirants with the total registered members in the union, the total number of newly registered members with their registration particulars as evidence, the total number of renewed membership before and after the deadline. He also wanted the elections postponed until these and other concerns were adequately addressed.

MUSIGA chairperson Smart Nkansah responded to Appiah-Levi on 8 July through a letter and stated that: "I would like to remind you that all the issues you have raised have been addressed in a meeting where you or designated representative was present," reads the statement.

The dates in the reference are 5 and 14 June during the NEC meeting with all aspirants.

The statement continues: "It is strange that you would, therefore, accuse the committee of being biased and casting aspirations on their integrity, particularly the chairperson and secretary of Antika TV. It goes without saying that if indeed you have any issues with the election, you should present the committee with any evidence you may have and desist from any insinuations in the media."

MUSIGA administrator Daddy Bosco told Music In Africa the election committee respects the court injunction.

"We were in court on Monday [15 July] to respond to the injunction. Our lawyer, Gary Nimako said the case would be heard on 23 July after which a new date for the elections shall be set," he said.

However, he insisted that "Everyone was ready and even all the candidates had met and expressed their readiness for the elections," he said

Musician and producer Adam Ro lent his voice to the matter and after this incident, the electoral committee will have to work hard in regaining the electorate's trust.

"Nobody wants to be cheated on and I am certain that all contestants wish for a fair election," he said. "Once the ruling is made, I urge all the members to vote wisely for the best leader. One who will bring changes to the industry," he said.

Appiah-Levi is the current representative for musicians in the Greater Accra region. He is contesting against musician Bessa Simons, who has for the past eight years, held the position of national Vice President.

Going for the First Vice President position are gospel artist Harry Thomas Yawson and CEO Lynx Entertainment Richard Karikari Mensah. The second Vice President position is a tug of war between gospel artists, Deborah Freeman and Ruth Benny Wood.

Sylvia Bosompem Amponsah and Samuel Kofi Agyemang are competing for the General Secretary slot.

Vying unopposed are Gifty Ghansah for the National Welfare Officer, Edward Edusa-Eyison for the national treasurer and Chizzy Nii Adu Wailer for the national organiser position.

The NEC elections were initially scheduled for 26 June in the 10 regions. The MUSIGA election committee then postponed the election to 10 July because the date coincided with the Ghanaian national voter registration process.