GHAMRO to distribute GH¢1million
The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) is set to begin distributing an amount of GHC 1 million from Tuesday, August 15, which is payment of the first of the two yearly statutory installments of royalties to its members.
In an interview with the Public Relations Officer of GHAMRO, Prince Tsegah on Tuesday, he said the amount earmarked to be distributed this month is solely from collections and investments made by the board and management on behalf of members.
“GHAMRO has not yet received the mandatory payment from government, popularly known as Blank Levy. As soon as GHAMRO receives the Blank levy, members will be duly informed and the money will be subsequently added to the royalties in the next distribution season,” he said.
Prince Tsegah said the details of distribution will be sent to members via GHAMRO’s website, text messages and emails.
He explained that the delay in payment of the Blank Levy was due to government bottlenecks adding that he hoped the payment would be received in time for the second distribution scheduled for later this year.
He told Showbiz that from December this year when the next installment of distribution is set to begin, GHAMRO will switch to title specific distribution, where right holders will receive royalties in accordance to how often their music is played.
“With the next distribution which is scheduled for later this year, we plan on using the title specific distribution system also known as the Pay as You Play System.
When this system is implemented right holders will be paid according to how often their songs are played. We are working with various organisations and urging them to provide us logs of the songs they play and how often these are played,” he said.
“Music users, namely,radio and TV stations, nightclubs, pubs, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and banks among others are hereby reminded to pay their various licenses to GHAMRO with immediate effect to avoid any embarrassment or possible law suit for failing to comply with the provisions of the Copyright Law of Ghana,” he added.
