The Ghana Music rights organization,(GHAMRO) has revealed that it would not be able to distribute royalties to its members.
When legendary highlife musician Rex Omar was elected as the Chairman for GHAMRO in 2017, some disgruntled members of the organization known as UNICOM Ghamro petitioned the Attorney General on GHAMRO’s constitution.
The then AG, Gloria Akuffo through the Efua Sutherland Committee recommended a new constitution, a thorough audit since the inception, and capacity building for GHAMRO.
They were asked to draw a road map, go for a General Assembly, and set up an Election Committee to pave the way for voting.
After complying with all of these, the Election Committee set up failed to deliver on its mandate for this reason, it was disbanded to make way for a new committee, unfortunately, the old committee headed to court over the matter.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Teachers Hall Complex in Accra on Thursday, June 1,2023, the chairman of the Interim Management Committee for GHAMRO, Rex Omar explained that:
“GHAMRO’s operating license is being withheld by the regulator through the copyright office. As a result GHAMRO would not be able to distribute any collection as it is unable to follow the collection mandate until the license is renewed”.
According to Rex Omar, being mindful of the renewal conditions under section 24 of the copyright Legislative instrument ,GHAMRO submitted all the requisite documentation for the renewal of its license in June 2022.
This is against a campaign from notable persons like madam Akosua Agyapong that the organization certificate has not been renewed and that users should stop payments for the use of protected music which is regulated under law.
The legendary Highlife musician who is known for monster hit songs such as ‘Kotosa’ ,Abiba, and Dada Dida’ expressed shock at the decision of the Attorney General of Ghana to withhold their license.
He urged that ,”the Directors and management of GHAMRO wish to assure its members and the general public that adequate steps will be taken legally to have Akosua Agyapong prove all her allegations or retract them,with an unqualified apology to all affected.
