Kumasi, July 27, GNA - Owners of radio and television stations would soon be required to show proof of payment of music royalties before their operating licenses would be renewed. This follows an agreement reached by the Ministry of Communications, National Communications Authority (NCA) and stakeholders in the music and creative industry.

Mr Kwabena Agyeman, General Secretary of the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry, (GAPI) said similar discussions were on-going with the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union to get operators in the hospitality industry and commercial transport owners t= o do the same.

This, he said, was part of efforts to ensure that musicians and producers derived maximum benefits from their investment. He was opening of a four-day advocacy training workshop for members of the Association in Kumasi. The training workshop, sponsored by BUSAC, was held under the theme, "Lack of Access to Long Term Finances-Copyright Investment Fund as Solution."

It was meant to help build the capacity of participants to enable them to influence policy to reduce piracy and other corrupt practices in th= e music industry. Mr Francis Mensah Twum, GAPI-BUSAC Advocacy Training Coordinator, said huge investment losses through piracy were gradually collapsing the music and creative industry. This was why they needed new breed of leadership to champion the caus= e of the members, he said, adding that, it was time musicians and producers took their destiny into their own hands. He underscored the need for the government to take firm measures to support local direct investments, pointing out that, no nation could depend solely on foreign direct investments for survival. The Reverend Francis Adu Boahene, Deputy General Secretary of GAPI, sai= d there was the need for concerted efforts to revitalize the industry.