The Benkumhene of Bosomtwe Asaman in the Ashanti region, Nana Adieaemuyeduru Trimude Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, known in the music industry as Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, has expressed concerns over ongoing litigations against the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO).
The highlife musician said such legal actions deprive the organisation of the ability to function effectively and, in the long run, affect the collection of the royalties of musicians.
He noted that musicians expect the organisation to function and collect their royalties; however, some are always dragging the GHAMRO to court, and when that happens, nothing effectively happens.
He said this while speaking in an interview with Nhyiraba Kwabena Asirifi on the weekend morning show on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM.
GHAMRO is unable to distribute royalties to its members due to a withheld operating license.
Chairman of the Interim Management Committee for GHAMRO, Rex Omar, revealed this at a press briefing on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
He told journalists that the license has been withheld by the regulator through the copyright office.
GHAMRO had submitted all the requisite documentation for the renewal of its license in June 2022.
But the Attorney General of Ghana withheld the licence.
This was after some notable persons, including Madam Akosua Agyapong, petitioned the Attorney-General to stop payments for the use of protected music.
Kaakyire Kwame Appiah, reacting to these petitions and litigations, stressed that GHAMRO cannot embark on its core mandates if some members keep dragging issues and filing court cases.
He said, “Rex Omar was doing this job until the court issues came in, and when these things do occur, it affects the stability and how effectively the organisation is run
We’ve had the likes of Carlos Sakyi and Kojo Antwi, and just as Rex Omar is being accused of mismanagement, other individuals were also accused of the same things. What I have realised is that when these things happen, it does not allow for the concentration to be on the core objective of collective and distributed royalties for musicians.
It can be likened to the national presidency; anyone who assumes office is accused of mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence. So sometimes the implementation of policies that will enhance the lives of musicians is not achieved.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
