For many Ghanaians, the name Alhaji Sidiku Buari is synonymous with music and video production. But if one takes a trip deep into his activities, one would get to know that Sidiku Buari is a man of many parts. Following his success with songs like ‘We Are The World,’ ‘Peaceful Elections,’ ‘Serial Killing of Women,’ ‘Conflicts in the North’ among others, the former President of Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has resurfaced on the music scene again with an educative music video titled ‘Hajj is a Call by Allah’. The song which raises concerns over a number of issues related to the organization of Hajj for Ghanaian pilgrims reminds pilgrims about the very significant place Hajj occupies in Islam, and goes on to urge would-be pilgrims to adequately prepare themselves for the trip and not carry prohibited items in their luggage. The video appears well-timed to shake the organizers of Hajj into action early enough to forestall any undesirable developments that past pilgrimages have gone through. The Hajj campaign music video is currently being aired on all television stations in the country. He told BEATWAVES that he composed the song to also educate Muslims to desist from using middlemen to assist them to embark on Hajj. According to him, the song also advises authorities in charge of the organization of Hajj to desist from acts that seek to undermine the organization process, and made recommendations aimed at improving on the operations of Hajj. Sidiku Buari, Vice President of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), noted that the song also advises the organizers of Hajj to get a direct return flights from northern Ghana to Jeddah, to prevent the hassle pilgrims go through when they are made to converge on Accra. Sidiku who is one of Ghana’s seasoned music icons came into the limelight with the release of his first album titled ‘Karam Bani’ in 1975 which won him a contract with the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and the company bought the rights to market the album. He toured several American States to promote his works. Sidiku Buari has over 15 albums to his credit and the albums include ‘Buari,’ ‘Zama Lafia,’ ‘Kuka Maraya,’ ‘Nyanyo Kpakpa,’ ‘Ayalolo,’ and ‘Africa Responds to the World’. In 1984, he returned to Ghana to establish the famous Funky Town Night Club and around the same time, he organised a big concert to raise GH¢25,000 for charity. He is the producer of Ghanaian movies such as ‘Ogboo’ parts One to four, ‘Man-woman,’ ‘Mr TT,’ ‘Meba,’ ‘Three Paddies’ and’ Who Is To Blame’. The former MUSIGA President during his heyday formed a dance band called the SB Express Band that metamorphosed into the Buari Ensemble, that discovered talents such as K. K. Kabobo and the master keyboardist Kofi Adu. In 1990, Alhaji served on the executive board of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), which was chaired by Kofi Ghanaba. Two years later, he was elevated to the vice presidential position during the reign of the late Joe Mensah. In 1999, he contested against his president, Joe Mensah, in an election and beat him with 77 to 11 votes to become the president. The 1940s-born filmmaker, musician, sportsman and businessman is a staunch Muslim who believes that Allah is the source of joy and peace. Source: Daily Guide