Clamp Down On Musical Pirates - Pastor

Accra, (Greater Accra) 27 Oct.

The Rev. Emmanuel Ansah, Associate Pastor of the Soul Clinic International Church (SCIC), yesterday called for a sustained clamp down on musical pirates. ''Their activities must be curbed and halted to make musicians reap the expected benefits of several years spent in coming out with their works''. Rev. Ansah made the call at the launching of ''Ni Din No Nti'', a debut gospel cassette album by Nana Mireku at the Landing Restaurant in Accra. He urged the copyright authorities to purge the music industry of people who prey on the hard work of young talented musicians. The Copyright Association of Ghana (COSGA) in a report indicated that some persons have been going round dubbing cassettes freely, selling them and pocketing the proceeds. Lt-Col Obed Akwa of the Ghana Armed Forces who chaired the function, said it is encouraging that young men have started turning to Christ. Some of the songs in the album are ''Oye Mame'', ''Obaatan Pa'' and ''Call Me''. Nana Mireku said the cassette album which has eight songs is the result of three years of toil. ''I am very grateful to the Lord for his mercies which saw me through,'' he said. A computer analyst by profession, Nana Mireku started singing at a tender age but developed that talent at the Soul Clinic International Church where he joined the Ambassadors.