The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has organized a health screening exercise for beneficiaries of the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund (AMWeF).

The screening covered hepatitis B, diabetes, prostate cancer, blood pressure and malaria. In all over fifty musicians were screened.

According to some of the AMWeF beneficiaries, the establishment of the fund is such a welcome development and it is so timely considering the plight of some ageing musicians who can hardly earn an income these days.

An AMWeF beneficiary Mike Ofori recounted an intervention the fund made on his behalf which saved him from gaol.

Other fund beneficiaries like Nana A.K Yeboah and Sam Cooper also called for support for the fund so that it can continue to provide hope for the ageing musicians.

Nana Kwame Ampadu on his part recounted his recent invitation to Manhyia Palace after performing on the ticket of AMWeF at the recent Asanteman Ball as a testimony of the impact AMWeF is making in our society.

He therefore called for widespread support for the fund, so that even more musicians can benefit from it.

The President of MUSIGA, Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour) spoke about the work the fund is doing in providing sustenance for the ageing musicians recounting the Akwasidae Ball series which kicked off at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi a fortnight ago on the heels of the Asanteman Ball at the Golden Tulip in Kumasi.

The President also spoke about the new rates for membership and the new categories of membership introduced by the Union and called for musicians to avail themselves of the numerous new benefits introduced with the new rates.

Dzifa Abla Gomashie The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Dzifa Abla Gomashie called for industry wide unity so that the benefits of such funds like AMWeF can be enjoyed by more people.

She acknowledged the tremendous improvements the Union has been making and urged the Union leadership to spread its arms to unite the music industry.

There were solidarity messages by the Ghana Actors’ Guild and the Ministry of Gender, Women and Children which has the oversight responsibility for programmes targeting the ageing in Ghana.

Present at the event were two ex-Presidents of MUSIGA, Alhaji Sidiku Buari and Diana Hopeson and musicians like Pat Thomas, Stan Plange of Uhurus fame and actors Walter Sampah and Mawuli Semevor among others.

The health screening exercise which took place at the MUSIGA Headquarters on Wednesday was supported by Danpong Pharmacy.