Allow GHAMRO perform its duties

Since the election of Rex Omar as the chairman of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), it appears from all indications that he is bent on shaking things up.

Musicians and other rights holders recently received their royalties and GHAMRO is on the warpath to ensure that all businesses and organisations that use music for their activities pay the appropriate royalties.

However, the latest directive to collect royalties from churches who invite artistes for their events has come under a lot of criticism. Even more worrying is the fact that some gospel artistes who stand to benefit from this initiative, are among those up in arms. Showbiz believes   GHAMRO’s directive is in order and those criticising it do not have adequate understanding of what it entails.

One would have expected gospel artistes, churches and other bodies affected by this directive to take time to find out what is at stake before attacking Rex Omar and GHAMRO. Churches paying royalties is not an attack on churches, Christianity or religion in general. The offices of GHAMRO are always open and their executives are on hand to educate the public on any issues they don’t understand.  

On the other hand, we urge GHAMRO to intensify its public education on this policy to enable the populace sufficiently grasp what exactly is involved in the directive. 

It is our belief that when the public and churches are educated enough about this, they themselves will come on board and aid in its implementation.