THE Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr. Samson K. Boafo, has re-affirmed the government’s commitment to assist musicians in the country.

He said the government’s decision to abolish taxes on imported musical instruments was an indication of its support to help develop the music industry.

Mr. Boafo made the statement when a three-member delegation of the International Federation of Musicians (IFM) paid a courtesy call on him in Accra.

The delegation, made up of the President of the IFM, Mr. John Smith; Mr. Benoit Machuel, a Vice- President, and Mr. Beat Sanctà, also a Vice-President, was in the country to witness the activities lined up for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the country.

Mr. Boafo said the ministry would continue to support the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), which until recently, had not been given the deserved recognition and congratulated the President of the MUSIGA, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, for his hard work.

Mr. John Smith stated that plans were far advanced to undertake projects of mutual benefits in Africa, aimed at helping musicians to acquire their own instruments, design good contracts that would benefit them, improve distribution networks and produce quality music.

He said such projects, which were being undertaken in Burkina Faso on a pilot basis, would be replicated in other African countries because they were yielding great rewards.

Alhaji Sidiku Buari expressed his gratitude to the government for its assistance in curbing pirating.

He was, however, not pleased with problems that most young musicians faced in accessing credit and called for measures to resolve them.