Award winning Ghanaian Music producer Elijah Nortey Thompson better known as DDT or De Thompson, has stirred conversation within Ghana’s creative arts space following his bold statement made during an interview on Best 90.5FM’s entertainment show last Saturday.
Speaking candidly about the state of the music industry, the producer expressed deep frustration with the operations of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), stating that if he had the authority to shut down any institution in the country, the union would be his first choice.
“I Don’t See the Work They Are Doing”.
According to DDT, his stance is rooted in what he describes as a lack of tangible impact by the union on the lives of musicians and producers.
“If I had the power to close down any entity in Ghana, I wouldn’t hesitate to close down MUSIGA,” he said during the interview. “I don’t see the work they are doing. I don’t see the benefits.”
Despite being a card-bearing member of the union, DDT revealed that he does not pay his membership dues. He explained that he finds no value in maintaining active financial commitment to an organization he believes does not adequately serve its members.
“I am a member, yes. But I don’t pay dues because I don’t see any benefit as an artist or music producer,” he stated.
The producer further criticized what he perceives as misplaced priorities within the union’s leadership. In his view, the organization has failed to put musicians first, instead focusing on personal interests while industry players continue to suffer.
“They have proven that they are not an organization that wants to help musicians. Their interest is not about the musicians. Musicians are suffering. The industry is not working properly,” he added.
DDT also mentioned meetings and engagements within related industry bodies, suggesting that participation in such gatherings has not yielded meaningful change or support for practitioners.
While his comments were firm, DDT clarified that he is not actively campaigning against the union nor discouraging emerging artists from joining. Instead, he framed his position as a personal decision based on his experiences.
“I won’t encourage any upcoming artist not to join, and I won’t discourage anyone either,” he noted. “But for me, I would rather not bother myself paying dues when I don’t see the benefits.”
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