Members of the Ghana Music Owners Rights Protection Society (GAMORPS), made up of prominent musicians, have threatened to embark on a massive demonstration against certain personalities whose activities are undermining the progress of the music industry.
At a meeting held on Wednesday at the Abrantie Spot at Abeka Lapaz in Accra, the musicians alleged that the president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Mrs Diana Hopeson was distributing royalties to musicians without the approval of the Attorney General and Registrar General’s Department.
According to them, the Registrar General’s Department which was not happy with the development of royalty distribution, ordered MUSIGA to return the money which was paid into its accounts by the Department.
The musicians said they were shocked to learn that MUSIGA, headed by Mrs. Diana Hopeson, was distributing the money which it was asked not to distribute.
Some gurus in the music industry who were present at the meeting and were visibly worried also voiced their grievances and displeasure about the attitude of MUSIGA president, saying her action could create problems among law-abiding musicians and other copyright owners.
They hinted that GAMORPS hopes to finally move from the days of ignorance and oppression into a period of transformation and empowerment, where their operations will be guided by principles of good governance, accountability and transparency to enable them contribute their quota to national development.
One of the leaders of GAMORPS, Abrantie Amakye Dede told BEATWAVES after the meeting that the leadership of GAMORPS would soon meet the Attorney General, Mrs Betty Mauld Iddrisu and representatives from the Registrar General on the issue.
He said, “We want the money back at the Registrar General’s Department. We the stakeholders will meet to decide what to do with the moneyâ€Â.
He was of the view that if Mrs. Diana Hopeson want unity among the stakeholders in the industry, then she should return the money for peace to prevail.
GAMORPS, whose main objectives is to collect, distribute and protect the works of its members, last year made some recommendations to the AG to expunge certain clauses of the Copyright Law which are draconian in nature, making it abundantly evident that government does not view the music industry as a private sector, with unwarranted impositions and blatant interference through those provisions.
Some of the musicians spotted at the meeting included Kojo Antwi, Amakye Dede, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Randy Nunoo, Dr. Paa Bobo, Obuoba J.A Adofo and a host of others.
By George Clifford Owusu