To Bice ‘Obour’ Osei Kuffour, the Former President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice ‘Obour’ Osei Kuffour, his loss in the parliamentary primaries will not deter him from pursuing his political interest.
In a press release, Obour who lost to the incumbent Member of Parliament for the New Patriotic Party at the Asante Akyem South constituency, Kwaku Asante–Boateng, said this is just the beginning of his political journey.
“…I really want to thank the leadership of the New Patriotic Party at the Constituency, Regional and National levels for the opportunity to represent my constituency. I shall be back in a grand style…,” he noted.
Also in the release, he also assured the winner of the contest, Lawyer Kwaku Asante-Boateng of his full support for the 2020 elections.
Obour, while addressing the media yesterday after the election, also congratulated the winner and acknowledged his experience in politics.
“The delegates of the NPP have decided. This was an internal contest. My honourable MP, Honourable Kwaku Asante-Boateng has shown that he is an experienced politician,” he said.
“He’s been in parliament two terms already and he is going a third term. Definitely, he may have some tricks that I don’t have. But this is good. This is my first time coming into the race and I think the delegates of Asante Akyem South, have really shown me love,” Obour added.
About Bice ‘Obour’ Osei Kuffour
Born Bice Osei Kuffour on November 17, 1981, Obour is a Ghanaian musician who acceded the Presidency of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) in 2011 and completed his second term in 2019.
He is an alumnus of the University of Ghana, the US International Visitor Leadership Programme, Aspen Global Leadership Network, and African Leadership Initiative of West Africa.
He was the youngest recipient of the State Grand Medal Honour, given by President J. A Kufuor in 2008.
The ‘Konkontiba’ hitmaker is a social activist who doubles as a National Road Safety Ambassador; W.H.O Tuberculosis Ambassador British Council & Forest Commission of Ghana Climate Change Ambassador.
He is the Founder of the Christiana Addo Memorial Foundation which promotes education, sanitation, personal hygiene and youth empowerment in Asante Akyem.
The Foundation has offered scholarship packages to brilliant but needy students in the area.
Some of his popular songs include ‘Konkontiba’, ‘Atentenben’, ‘Daaye’, ‘Menwu Boom’, among others.
His Achievements as MUSIGA President
1. Under his leadership the was the introduction of membership categorization with accompanying benefits (including legal advice, facilitation in musical works registration and royalty collection, discounted services eg. health insurance, group life insurance etc.). He re-registration over 1,000 members and established a new membership database, Musiga App, thus increasing the Union’s membership by 200 percent.
2. He also established the Ageing Musicians Welfare Fund and yearly distribution of support to members. Aside that he organised of medical screening exercise for beneficiaries. Over 200 musicians have benefitted from the AMWEF Fund.
3. In collaboration with the School of Performing Arts (S.P.A) and National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), he founded the MUSIGA ACADEMY to provide professional training and skills for players in the Music Industry. In tandem with this, he also established a Certificate in Music Production course with NAFTI and provided a fully equipped modern studio for NAFTI for the students to use.
4. Under Obour’s leadership, the was a Comprehensive Survey on Music Industry in Ghana to identify the economic contribution of the sector to GDP and also to advise policy direction and public and private investment in the music sector.
This research was conducted from the Government subvention of 2 Million Ghana Cedis through budgetary allocation. Part of the money was also used for music fair & peace campaign , capacity building and project administration.
5. There was also the establishment of the Midland – MUSIGA AJUMAPA Business Loans – a low interest and relatively collateral free loan to enable MUSIGA members access funds for their projects. Over 100 members have and continue to benefit from this facility though some musicians have defaulted in the loan payments.
6. Institutionalization of Ghana Music Week Festival, MUSIGA Presidential Grand Ball and Asanteman Arts Ball and Awards as annual event brands to raise funds for Union projects and to promote and create jobs for members. Together these event raise more than Ghc 500,000 to support the Union each year. The International launch of Ghana Music Week Festival in 2015/2016 in the United States, United Kingdom and China also led to a lot of Tourists visiting Ghana.
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By: ghanaweekend.com
