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GHAMRO urged to expand royalty collection to churches and buses

Ghanaian entertainment pundits and media personalities have called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) royalty collection system to ensure music creators receive fair compensation. During recent discussions on the United Showbiz platform, stakeholders including Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo, Abena Moet, and Nana Frimpong Zigah emphasized that the persistent disputes between the organisation and media houses must be resolved through strategic reform and dialogue to restore trust in the institution. Nana Frimpong Zigah proposed a significant expansion of the collection net, suggesting that GHAMRO should target churches, drinking bars, and commercial buses that use copyrighted music. He highlighted a major compliance gap, noting that only 16 out of more than 700 radio and television stations in the country currently fulfill their royalty obligations to GHAMRO. This expansion is supported by previous statements from GHAMRO CEO Jackson Brefo, who clarified that religious institutions are not exempt from paying royalties when they use copyrighted works during their services. Media personality Abena Moet underscored the need for a more transparent and effective collection strategy, warning that the ongoing disputes with media houses will persist without a lasting solution. She observed that many Ghanaian artists have become apathetic toward GHAMRO due to the discouragingly low royalty amounts they receive. By improving collection efficiency and ensuring higher revenue, Moet argued that the organisation could boost artist confidence and encourage more active participation in the industry's administrative affairs. Adding to these calls for reform, entertainment pundit Arnold Asamoah-Baidoo urged GHAMRO leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with media organizations rather than maintaining a confrontational stance. He stressed that a collaborative approach and good-faith discussions are essential for improving compliance and fostering a better understanding of royalty responsibilities. These proposed changes aim to create a more sustainable financial environment for Ghana's music industry, ensuring that creators are properly remunerated for their intellectual property.