Nobody in this world would want to deploy his skills or talents without any purported plan of gaining some benefits.
One of the reasons, if not the main, for which artistes churn out songs and exude their creativity in many guises is to fill their coffers and chalk financial success.
It is in this vein that systems have been put in place to celebrate and appreciate the efforts and contributions of artistes globally, one of the great ways of appreciating these artistes is by protecting their talents and treating them as their intellectual properties, thus, ensuring that nobody takes for granted their God-given skills for any selfish benefit.
Ghana as a Country has not left out and abandoned her talents like Artistes who flood the airwaves with songs which do not only entertain, but educate, propagate and inspire. It was in that vein that The Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) was established under section 49 of the Copyright law, Act 690 of 2005 and regulated under L.I 1962 of 210 to collect and distribute royalties accruing to authors and owners of copyright and neighbouring rights.
But the big question is whether or not GHAMRO is executing its duties as expected since many great (both veteran and new artistes) have bemoaned and decried the operations of the organization , Prince Bright of former Buk Bak Group recently blamed the woes and failure of the industry on intermittent pay of royalties and the former Chairman of GHAMRO, Kojo Antwi also known as Music Man, also disclosed to DJ Candyman that the reason for his resignation at GHAMRO was inconsistencies between his ideas and the systems of the organization.
Another Veteran Artiste has added his voice, this time, more pathetic.
Eric Turkson, who is known in showbiz circles as Ded buddy is one of the veteran artistes in the country who seceded from the rap group Native Funk Lords (NFL) created in 1990 which had Eddie Blay , Tiny Quaye and jake as members . He went Solo in the aftermath and made waves with his legendary “Yebesa” song .
He (Ded Buddy) made a shocking revelation on Atinka 104.7 FM when speaking with the Drive talk host, DJ Candyman pertaining to what he receives as royalty for exuding his creative abilities.
When asked how much he received, he shockingly and categorically said he was given ninety-eight (98) cedis as part one (1) payment and was promised part two (2) payment which never came.
“Yes I receive royalties , the last time I received money, they told me that was part payment and promised to release the rest later, they sent me 98 cedis ,’’ he disclosed
It was glaringly obvious that the mention of 98 cedis took the Host (DJ Candyman) by surprise who later wanted to confirm whether he (Ded Buddy) indeed meant the said amount, after which the veteran Artiste confirmed.
“Yes, 98 cedis, listen, it is not as though we are dying to get that money , I mean this is very bad , If you have sent 98 cedis to me, I am wondering what you will give to my Godfathers who started before , how will they survive? He rhetorically asked.
When asked by DJ Candyman if he suspected any form of cheating or someone taking what’s theirs’, he said he couldn’t tell but was quick to add that there should be transparency, as to what the organization receives on behalf of artistes and the mode of disbursement, this, he believes will help clear all doubts with regards to the organization’s activities.
It is becoming hackneyed the manner and way people including stakeholders and musicians have inveighed and criticized the Organization (GHAMRO) in recent times ,are these chastisements and allegations something to go by? If yes, it is about time GHAMRO sat up as an organization.
Ded Buddy is currently promoting his Yebesa Remix which featured the sensational Lynx entertainment label signee Kidi .
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | CK Arthur