Ghanaian Musicians Call For Vigourous Implementation Of Copyright Law

Musicians in Ghana have expressed serious concern about the dysfunctional copyright laws in Ghana.

According to them, many of the country?s great musicians produced good music, lived in poverty and died as paupers.

To address unfortunate situation, a ground-breaking seminar on the theme, comparative study of music industries of Ghana and South Africa' has been organized by Metro TV, in collaboration with the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge fund BUSAC to the implementation of copy right laws in the country.

Business analysts say Ghana's music industry is one of the fastest growing businesses on world music markets, which is estimated to fetch about $1.5 billion per annum.

Therefore for Ghana's music industry to make any meaningful impact, there is the need to provide the right and effective policy environment at the national level.

According to Carlos Sakyi, , a researcher and consultant, who addressed the seminar, policies governing copyright in Ghana are too dysfunctional, to adequately protect the musician's work and enable him take the money due them.

He further disclosed that in other countries, in which the copyright act is actively implemented, musicians have the right to authorize or prohibit the use of their music for advertising purposes.

Indeed, musicians are entitled to royalties from wherever their music is played, and this includes bars and restaurants.

Carlos Sakyi advised Ghanaian musicians to fight for a fairer law that would protect their work.