The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) is intensifying consultations and stakeholder engagements in its ongoing bid to secure a standardized minimum wage for musicians across the country.

This renewed effort is part of a broader agenda to ensure equitable compensation and improve the economic wellbeing of Ghanaian artists.

At the heart of the initiative is MUSIGA’s collaboration with veteran labour expert Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, popularly known in the arts community as “Sax.”

The union is in the process of engaging Ofei-Nkansah as a consultant to guide the technical and structural components of the proposed wage policy.

In recent weeks, MUSIGA has also held strategic meetings with owners of +233 Jazz Bar and Grill, one of Ghana’s premier venues for live musical performances.

The discussions focused on the operational framework and practical implications of implementing a fixed pay structure for performing artists.

The union’s efforts come in the wake of public advocacy by prominent religious leaders who have weighed in on the often overlooked plight of musicians.

Notably, Rev. Dag Heward-Mills, founder of the Lighthouse Chapel, and Rev. Elishah Salifu Amoako have both publicly emphasized the need for musicians to be fairly compensated for their time and talent during services and events.

“Our discussions with Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah and venue owners like those of +233 demonstrate our unwavering commitment to achieving fair remuneration for musicians,” said Agyemang, General Secretary of MUSIGA.

“The recent remarks by respected leaders such as Rev. Dag Heward-Mills and Rev. Amoako affirm the urgency of this initiative.”

This is not the first time MUSIGA has pursued structural reforms for industry players.

Over the years, attempts to address income disparity among musicians have been hindered by weak enforcement, informal contracts, and the general undervaluation of artistic labour in Ghana.

However, the union believes that a formal minimum wage could be a turning point, particularly if key players within the industry align with the vision.

Beyond local consultations, MUSIGA is also engaging with international experts to develop a wage system tailored to Ghana’s unique music ecosystem.

The goal is to create a sustainable, transparent structure that promotes professionalism while offering financial security to both emerging and established musicians.

The union is optimistic that through these ongoing consultations and strategic alliances, Ghana will soon join the ranks of countries that recognize the cultural and economic contributions of musicians through fair compensation practices.

Meanwhile, MUSIGA’s leadership has called on all stakeholders—including event organizers, venue operators, and government agencies—to support the initiative, emphasizing that a structured wage policy will uplift the entire creative sector.

“Talent is not just singing, acting or painting. You can be a talented mathematician or architect. Anything you can do effortlessly and still excel at is your talent,” he emphasized.

He encouraged young people to pay close attention to activities that come naturally to them, as these are often clues to their true strengths.