Fair Pay. Every Gig. Every Time.
Ghana's musicians entertain millions, support billion-cedi events, and carry our cultural identity to the world. Yet too many earn less than a living wage. MUSIGA is changing that.
Ghana's music industry generates significant economic value. Yet the musicians who create this value are frequently among the least compensated participants. Exploitative booking practices, absent contracts, last-minute cancellations without compensation, and systematic underpayment by venues and promoters are widespread. MUSIGA's Fair Pay Campaign addresses this at the systemic level — setting minimum rates, advocating with regulators, and empowering musicians to report and resist exploitation.
*Based on MUSIGA member survey data, 2023. Figures are representative estimates based on available survey data.
How Ghanaian Musicians Are Being Underpaid
Venues
Many Accra venues offer performers a share of the door rather than a guaranteed fee — often resulting in payments that do not cover transport costs. Venue owners routinely understate attendance figures.
Promoters
Event promoters frequently negotiate musician fees down at the last minute, citing inflated costs or disappointing ticket sales. Without contracts, musicians have no legal recourse.
Record Labels
Some Ghanaian artists are still signing recording deals that sign away publishing rights with no royalty provisions. Label deals that were once standard are now exploitative in the streaming era.
Media Organisations
TV stations, radio stations, and online platforms regularly use Ghanaian music without payment, citing loopholes or ignoring GHAMRO demands entirely. Enforcement has historically been weak.
What MUSIGA Is Doing About It
Minimum Rate Guidelines
MUSIGA has published recommended minimum rates for live performances by performance type, venue capacity, and event duration. These are not legally binding yet — but they establish an industry standard and provide a reference point for negotiations.
Advocacy with GES & KACE
MUSIGA is in active dialogue with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Kayayei and Artisans Cultural Exchange (KACE) to recognise musicians as professional workers entitled to labour protections, minimum wage provisions, and formal employment rights.
Engagement with NCA
MUSIGA works with the National Communications Authority (NCA) to ensure broadcasters using music commercially are properly licensed and that collected fees flow through to musicians via GHAMRO.
Free Contract Templates
MUSIGA provides members with free, professionally drafted performance contracts that protect payment, set cancellation terms, and create legal recourse when promoters fail to pay.
Exploitation Monitoring
MUSIGA's Advocacy Committee actively monitors exploitative practices and submits regular reports to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and relevant regulatory bodies.
Member Empowerment
Through workshops, guides, and the member portal, MUSIGA equips musicians with the knowledge to negotiate, know their rights, and access legal support when exploited.
How to Report Underpayment or Exploitation
Every report submitted to MUSIGA strengthens our evidence base for regulatory advocacy. You are not alone — and your experience could help protect hundreds of other musicians. MUSIGA handles all reports confidentially.
Document Everything
Keep all messages, contracts (if any), receipts, and records of what was promised and what was paid. Screenshots of WhatsApp conversations are valid evidence.
Submit a MUSIGA Support Ticket
File a report through the MUSIGA support system describing what happened, when, who was involved, and what you were promised. Our Advocacy team will review within 5 working days.
MUSIGA Investigates
Where appropriate, MUSIGA will engage directly with the promoter or venue on your behalf, and may escalate to legal action or regulatory complaint if warranted.
Legal Referral
For cases involving significant sums, MUSIGA can refer members to our network of entertainment law practitioners who offer reduced-rate legal advice.
Know Your Rights
Right to a Contract
You have the right to request a written performance agreement before any engagement. A verbal agreement is legally binding in Ghana but harder to enforce without documentation.
Right to a Deposit
It is industry standard to request 50% of your fee as a non-refundable deposit before the event. Never perform without receiving at least partial payment.
Right to Full Payment
If the agreed fee is not paid in full immediately after the performance (or as per contract terms), you have grounds to pursue the balance legally.
Right to Cancel
If a promoter significantly changes terms (date, venue, audience size, fee) without agreement, you have the right to cancel and retain your deposit.
Sign the Petition & Join the Campaign
MUSIGA members can sign the Fair Pay petition directly in the member portal, making your voice count in our advocacy with government and regulatory bodies. The more signatures we collect, the stronger our case for binding minimum rates for Ghanaian musicians.
Active members also receive MUSIGA's free performance contract templates and guidance on protecting your fees.