Entertainment Analyst Urges Alabaster Box to Escalate Medikal Compensation Demand

Ghanaian entertainment commentator Vida Adutwumwaa has called for Alabaster Box, a creative collective, to heighten their financial demands against rapper Medikal beyond the initial GH₵15 million, citing alleged disrespect and unauthorized use of intellectual property.

The dispute centers on claims that Medikal repeatedly used Alabaster Box’s creative assets without acknowledgment, despite prior requests to cease.

Adutwumwaa argued that Medikal’s dismissive response to the group’s grievances justified stricter penalties. “If you use someone’s intellectual property without credit, you cannot dictate how they should react,” she stated during a media discussion.

She referenced Medikal’s past public criticisms of media outlets, including TV3, as evidence of a pattern of disregarding accountability. “Their demand isn’t just about compensation it’s about respect. Given his conduct, GH₵15 million may even be too lenient.”

The conflict escalated after Alabaster Box accused Medikal of leveraging their creative work, which they claim is central to their livelihood, without permission. While the rapper has yet to publicly address the specific allegations, industry observers note the case highlights broader tensions over intellectual property rights in Ghana’s entertainment sector, where formal licensing frameworks remain inconsistently enforced.

Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, another analyst, initially described the GH₵15 million claim as excessive but acknowledged that Medikal’s perceived defiance might have influenced Alabaster Box’s stance. Legal experts suggest the case could test existing copyright norms, particularly for creative collaborations lacking formal agreements.

This dispute underscores growing advocacy for clearer intellectual property protections in Ghana’s creative industries. Similar clashes have emerged in recent years, with artists and producers increasingly pushing for standardized crediting and compensation practices.

While social media amplifies such conflicts, the absence of robust legal precedents often leaves resolution reliant on public pressure rather than litigation. For smaller collectives like Alabaster Box, high-profile cases may set critical benchmarks for asserting ownership in an evolving digital landscape.