We’re not funded by government, says GHAMRO

The acting chief executive officer of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), Jackson Brefo, has said that the organisation has been struggling because it has become a private entity.

Speaking on Artsy on Asaase 99.5 on Saturday (10 August), Brefo said that “we are in a fix because we are a private organisation.”

“Before then, it used to be under the government. So, in 2012, when the regulation that is a copyright LI 1962, was passed in 2010, it took about two years for these three societies to be established. And then GHAMRO was established.

Brefo explained, “Before GHAMRO was established, it used called COSGA [Copyright Society of Ghana]. That was definitely run by the government and was habited in, I think, a four-space office close to the copyright office in Kumasi, I mean, a small office, a cultural centre.”

He noted that GHAMRO was supposed to maintain its collections for about three to four years and build its structures.

“That is opening offices across the country, putting up monitoring systems, and training staff, because then there were no people qualified in the business of collective management of copyrights and related rights. I mean, that’s what GHAMRO does.”

“So, we missed that opportunity. And since then, we have not been receiving funding from the government because it’s a company limited by guarantee. So, it’s a private entity.”

“A regulation was enacted in 2010,  which set up the Ghana Music Rights Organisation and two other societies, as I earlier mentioned. And it was set on paper.”

Brefo added that that was the beginning of their problems.

“So, the society didn’t have any resources. No vehicles, no offices, and no structures to operate properly because it needs a lot of investment.”

“And then the first board, led by Carlos Sekyi, came in for two years. Rex Omar administration came in along the line; the problems kept repeating,” he added.

Explaining how payments are made to artists, the acting CEO said, “… the LI that was enacted in 2010, clearly stated that every revenue that we collect, we are supposed to use 30% for administration, 10% for welfare and distribute 60%.”

“So, that should be done twice a year. Every six months.”

He added that it is a legal tussle generating money from prime users and non-essential users.

“So, the prime users are the radio stations, the TV stations, and the likes. And to be very honest with you, it has never been easy with these outlets,” he added.

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