MUSIGA’s Bessa Simons addresses GH¢500 donation controversy at Yaw Sarpong’s funeral

• MUSIGA President Bessa Simons has defended the union’s GH¢500 donation to the family of legendary gospel musician Yaw Sarpong, saying the contribution was made as a gesture of goodwill.

• He explained that Yaw Sarpong was not a registered MUSIGA member and had not been contributing to the union’s welfare, insurance or dues, which limited the benefits he could receive.

• The controversy has renewed debate about MUSIGA’s welfare system and whether stronger support should be available to veteran musicians during difficult times.

MUSIGA President Bessa Simons addressed the controversy in an interview with Dek360 on the sidelines of the launch of the Ghana Legends Awards, where he explained the union’s position on the donation and its welfare arrangements.

According to Bessa Simons, Yaw Sarpong was not a registered member of MUSIGA and therefore did not make the regular contributions required to access certain welfare benefits provided by the association.

He said MUSIGA’s support system is governed by specific rules and is largely structured around contributions from registered members.

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Bessa Simons stressed that being a professional musician does not automatically make an individual a MUSIGA member, nor does it mean every musician is entitled to the union’s welfare benefits.

He explained that the GH¢500 given to Yaw Sarpong’s family was not a mandatory welfare payment but rather a gesture made by MUSIGA voluntarily.

He said;

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The comments follow public criticism of MUSIGA after the GH¢500 donation was presented at the funeral of Yaw Sarpong, with some members of the public questioning whether the amount adequately reflected the veteran musician’s contribution to Ghana’s music industry.

Yaw Sarpong, who enjoyed a celebrated career in gospel music and became one of the country’s most respected veteran musicians, died after years of making a significant impact on Ghana’s gospel music scene.

Bessa Simons, however, maintained that the criticism should be considered within the context of MUSIGA’s membership structure rather than solely on the basis of Yaw Sarpong’s status as a prominent musician.

His explanation has also reignited a broader conversation about the welfare of Ghanaian musicians, particularly ageing and veteran artistes, and whether existing industry structures provide sufficient financial and social protection when they face hardship.

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The controversy has consequently placed renewed attention on MUSIGA’s welfare system and the need for musicians to understand the benefits and responsibilities associated with formal membership of the union.