The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and the Copyright Office have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate more closely in tackling longstanding challenges in the country’s music industry, particularly issues related to royalty distribution and the operational difficulties facing the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO).
The high-level meeting, held on 2nd June 2025, brought together MUSIGA executives and senior officials from the Copyright Office to deliberate on key industry concerns.
Discussions focused on enhancing copyright protection, streamlining royalty systems, and resolving persistent disputes within GHAMRO that continue to hinder its effectiveness.
Delays and inconsistencies in royalty disbursement were a major concern, with MUSIGA President Bessa Simons highlighting the heavy financial dependence of musicians on these payments. Despite approximately 80% of musicians being registered with GHAMRO, irregularities in distribution remain unresolved.
Ongoing legal battles over GHAMRO’s election processes, constitutional clarity, and internal leadership have further complicated its operations. The Copyright Office reiterated that only the courts are empowered to appoint interim leadership and stressed that any action by the Attorney General’s office must adhere strictly to legal protocols.
To help resolve the impasse, the meeting proposed engaging neutral mediators or respected industry veterans to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders. Director of the Copyright Office, Mr William Akwetey Bonsu, urged all parties to withdraw legal cases and instead embrace dialogue to avoid further damage to the sector. He added that legal guidance has been issued to ensure that judicial timelines are respected.
Mr Bonsu also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between MUSIGA and the Copyright Office to safeguard the rights of musicians and foster a thriving creative ecosystem. He reaffirmed the Office’s neutrality and pledged ongoing support for professional unity in the industry.
Updating participants on MUSIGA’s recent activities, Mr Simons outlined capacity-building initiatives targeting digital trends and live band performance skills. He also shared highlights of upcoming events marking the Union’s Golden Jubilee, including Authentic Highlife Nights in July, the She Rhythms Ghana Festival in December, and the long-anticipated Presidential Grand Ball, which has not been held since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also present at the meeting were MUSIGA General Secretary S.K. Agyemang, Administrator Vida Obeng Kwarteng Asante, and Samuel Awuku Djakete, Principal Research Officer at the Copyright Office.