The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) has officially set the wheels in motion to ensure that the late gospel icon, Yaw Sarpong, receives a farewell befitting his monumental legacy.
Appearing on Showbiz 360 with host Giovani Caleb, MUSIGA President Bessa Simons confirmed that the union has formally petitioned the government to grant the “Wo Haw Ne Sen” hitmaker a state-assisted funeral.
The move aims to honor Sarpong’s decades of service to the nation’s cultural and spiritual fabric.
Bessa Simons emphasized that while MUSIGA does not have the internal mandate to confer state honors, it carries the responsibility of identifying and recommending industry giants who have shaped the identity of Ghanaian music.
According to Simons, Yaw Sarpong was more than just a musician; he was an architect of the modern gospel sound.
“State-assisted funerals extend beyond ceremony; they represent national acknowledgement of individuals whose work has profoundly shaped Ghana’s cultural and creative identity,” Simons stated during the interview.
The union has already initiated high-level discussions with relevant state institutions. A state-assisted burial typically involves government support in the planning, logistics, and execution of the funeral rites, signaling that the deceased is a person of national significance.
Yaw Sarpong’s career spanned several decades, during which he became a household name. As the leader of the Asomafo group, he pioneered a unique blend of traditional highlife rhythms with soulful gospel messages.
