GHAMRO: Let there be peace

The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) has been in the news mostly for the wrong reasons. It is an arm of government whose activities are closely monitored by its members because the outfit deals with money.

Since the assumption of the Kojo Antwi led administration after a long legal tussle, it was the expectations that all the hullaballoo which surrounded the previous administration will cease but that isn’t the case.

Already, some members of GHAMRO have raised doubts about the performance of the new administration and it seems the new development is sure to start another legal battle which trailed the Carlos Sakyi administration.

Akosua Agyapong, a fierce critic of the activities of GHAMRO, has hinted on plans to take legal action against the new administration for delaying the payment of royalties to members.

According to her, the Kojo Antwi led executives have succeeded in getting media houses, entertainment outlets, bars to pay royalties, however, GHAMRO members are yet to benefit from the monies collected.

There’s no doubt that the current GHAMRO board has so far initiated moves to show transparency and talk about ways to rake in more money for members. There are multiple sources of revenue for the board to access and the new administration has shown commitment towards such agenda.

However, GHAMRO has failed to project itself as a trustworthy body that is collecting funds on behalf of its members. It is based on this that Showbiz believes that the organisation has failed musicians and is therefore not fit to exist.  

Besides, the current digital era has created new platforms for revenue generation and that must ginger up the board to be proactive in dealing with users of music on digital platforms so that they can better serve the interest of its members.

GHAMRO, it’s in your court to prevent the unnecessary tension which always hover around the organisation.