Obour
Ghanaian musicians on Wednesday called on politicians and leaders of the various political parties to desist from acts which would undermine the peace in the country.
The musicians who were not happy with the current situation in the country called on leadership of the country to cooperate in order to find a lasting solution to the challenges confronting the nation.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra, the President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice Osei Kuffour, noted that if leaders failed to manage this current situation, Ghanaians would suffer, adding that the most vulnerable in the society are ?our children, mothers, physically challenged persons and the aged?.
He recalled how political instability affected night life in Ghana during the late 1970s and early 80s, during which curfews killed live band music, leading to the near collapse of the music industry.
?Now that we are beginning to witness some improvement in live music again we would like to use this platform to appeal for peace to prevail by all who are involved in the ongoing political tensions,? he said.
He reminded the various political leaders of the pledges they made to Ghanaians towards their commitment to peace before the elections.
?We are pleading with you to find the most decorous means to resolve the current situation. We know that you are all great friends; let your long standing friendship bind us all together and move forward with one commitment to peace,? he stressed.
Bice Osei Kuffour, aka Obour appealed to Ghanaians to love and not to hate each other.
Hatred, he said, could not drive out hatred; only love could do that: ?Let us therefore develop love for each other no matter our political persuasion because love is the only tool capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.?
He, however, called on all supporters and followers of political parties to remain calm and let cool heads prevail.
Music, according to him, played a major role in the general electioneering campaigns of almost all the political parties with the major political blocks, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) massively winning the hearts of many through the power of music, which was used to channel key political messages to the supporters.
?We therefore get very concerned when after all the efforts put in by our members and other well-meaning groups and civil society organizations, the very peace we preached and promoted seems to be under threat as a result of the very political process in which music has played a key role.?
He therefore called on all the political leaders and eminent persons in the country, such as Kofi Annan, to step in and help solve problems that might have come out of the just ended elections, while the law courts dealt with legal issues.
By George Clifford Owusu
