Press Release
The Board & Management of Ghana Music Rights Organization, (GHAMRO) is calling on the Attorney General to release its long-overdue certificate in line with Sections 24 of the Copyright Legislative Instrument 2010. This is because, the Copyright Administrator has simply refused to facilitate the renewal of the organization’s license since June 2022, which is a cardinal principle with regard to the renewal conditions.
GHAMRO’s mandate under Section 49 of the Copyright Act, 609, 2005 is to collect and distribute royalties for the use of protected music Copyright works. The organizational purpose is to ensure among others, a structured User royalty collection system to ensure that funds are available for distribution to right holders whose works are used at the end of the period under review. GHAMRO has achieved its mandate with the expansion of the collection system. However, the Copyright Administrator for no reason at all, refuses to renew the license.
The leadership of the organization is therefore appealing to the A.G. to intervene to ensure that the right thing is done for GHAMRO to do its work for the benefit of its members.
According to GHAMRO CEO Abraham Adjartey, in 2017, some members of GHAMRO, known as UNICOM GHAMRO petitioned the Attorney General on the GHAMRO constitution, finances, and operations, which led to the formation of a Committee chaired by Madam Efua Sutherland Addy. The Committee was set up to look into the matter as stated above.
Following the Committee’s Report, the Attorney General set up a five-point Roadmap:
(i) UNICOM was to withdraw the court case,
(ii) GHAMRO was to hold an Annual General Meeting to adopt a Constitution and appoint an Election Committee
(iii) Conduct Elections for a new Board.
Mr Adjartey says, the AGM was held on the 14th of October 2020, during which the constitution was approved and an Election Committee appointed in line with Efua Sutherland Committee’s recommendations. Unfortunately, the Election Committee was unable to work within the period expected. As a result of the delay, Congress convened on 19th April 2021. Which subsequently dissolved the Election Committee and a five-member Director body was appointed in line with Act 992 of the Companies Code to ensure operational oversight and steer the organization to the Elections.
The dissolved Election Committee went to court where the Judge advised them to join the new Election Committee, a suggestion they refused so the matter was discharged in favor of GHAMRO.
The GHAMRO C.E.O also stated that currently, apart from the appeal by the former election committee, there is no other case against GHAMRO.
Finally, Mr. Adjartey indicated that Akosua Adjepong will have her day in court to prove her allegations against the GHAMRO leadership or retract them.
Story by Obaapa Janee
Source: ahotoronline.com
