The Leadership of the Musicians Union of Ghana have noticed with grave appreciation the massive interest expressed by the general public and media about reports on the maiden edition of Ghana Music Week.
We acknowledge that communication has not been exactly good after the GMW, nonetheless, as a new event brand that relied highly on corporate sponsorship, we had to wait for full confirmation of the sponsorship as well as confirmed invoices from suppliers before an official Financial Report on GMW 2013 was finalized for general consumption.
The release of this statement, however, has become necessary at this time to clear the air on a number of issues in the media, suggesting that some members of the Union have been demanding answers, including Financial Report on Ghana Music Week; even though we are yet to complete one to be filed for anyone who may want to use it.
Ghana Music Week 2013, without a doubt, has recorded some important positives as well as numerous challenges to improve on, in the future. Below are some details worth knowing about the 2013 GMW:
- The first edition of Ghana Music Week (GMW) Festival was held from March 4th to 10th, 2013 at the National Theater and Accra Sports Stadium.
- Key activities of GMW were: Ghana Unity Concert (Accra Sports Stadium, March 6); Ghana Music Honours (National Theatre, March 9th); Sales & Exhibition, Stakeholder Dialogue, GMW Forum, Instruments Training Session, Azonto Dance Fiesta, Talent Discovery Nite,Comedy & Concert Party, Highlife Jam and a clean-up Exercise.
3. Ghana Music Week is a Musicians Union of Ghana (Musiga) event.
4. Yendis Media Consultancy was the official Sponsorship Agency for GMW
5. Organising Partners were The National Theater and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
6. Cash Sponsors were: GGBL (Smirnoff), Airtel, RLG Communications, DKT International, Global Access Savings & Loans and Ashfoam.
Donors were Eurostar Global Limousines, British Council, Erata Hotel, Earl Beam Hotel and Hanlord Travel and Tours.
7. Events of GMW were produced by: Musiga, E-volution International, EKB Production, Positiv Production and Access Backstage
8. Artistes, visitors / attendants- Over 300 artistes and musicians, including a traditional group from each of the 10 regions, performed at the 2013 GMW, which attracted about 11,500 persons in all activities.
9. Publicity: Integrated campaign was rolled out between Jan. 15 and March 15, 2013 on:
a. Radio- Joy FM, Okay FM, Peace FM, Y-FM, Radio Gold, Montie FM, Hitz FM,
Rainbow Radio;
b. Television- TV3, GTV, TV Africa, Crystal TV and GH-One TV.
c. Print- Daily Graphic, Graphic Showbiz, Daily Guide, Flex Newspaper and The
Mirror
d. Outdoor and marketing collaterals: billboards (25 sites), posters (10,000),
flyers (16.000), banners (21 pieces). There were two major floats with 50
canvassers to promote GMW.
Summary of Unaudited Financial Report
NB: Under this part, it is worth knowing that there is a limit to which information about agreements signed with corporate sponsors can be laid in the public domain. That notwithstanding, every MUSIGA member in good membership-standing has the right as per our constitution to access any information they may need ONLY through the right channels (The General Secretary and Treasurer).
Also, considering that, the union is yet to receive over 75% of the funds from corporate sponsors; and that quite a number of suppliers are yet to be paid; a full financial report will be released as at when final settlements are made.
The core objectives of management were to establish a unique brand worth investing in the future as well as effectively manage cost to the bearest minimum.