President Withholds Assent To Copyright Bill

President Kuffour

His Excellency President of the Republic of Ghana, Mr. J. A. Kuffour has withheld assent to the copyright bill that was passed by parliament some few weeks ago until matters of grave concern to the Coalition of Concerned Copyright Advocates (COCCA) have been investigated.

This was revealed in a letter signed by Secretary to the President, Mr. D. K. Osei, written on March 1, 2005. According to the letter Minister of Justice and Attorney General will in the near future, receive representatives of the Coalition to enable him discuss with them their main concerns.

The letter pointed out that assent to the bill will be withheld until all concerns with it have been given due consideration.

This was in response to COCCA petition to the President that objected to clause 25 of the bill, which states: ?A manufacturer, importer or publisher of sound or audio visual recording shall on the minister, purchase security device from the Internal Revenue Service as may be required to cover the number of copyright works the manufacturer, importer or publisher intends to sell or distribute?.

?A person who sells or exhibits for sale a copyright work without security device obtained from Internal Revenue Service affixed to it commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than 500 penalty units?.

The coalition noted that the clause 25 is an imposition and encroachment on their fundamental human rights and freedoms.

?It takes away our very basic freedom and right to choose what system to adopt to protect our privately funded and owned intellectual property?.

COCCA also noted that clause 25 is discriminatory and inconsistent with Ghana?s constitution. They also observed that the clause is extortionate, deceptive and violates ratified international conventions.

Mr. Carlos Sakyi, President and Spokesperson of the Coalition signed the petition. Other signatories were Kweku Sintim-Misa, Prof. John Collins (Head of Music Dept., University of Ghana), Kodjo Aquai, Talal Fatal, Dr. William Anku, Rex Omar, Amandzeba Nat Brew among others.