Paul Gee wants increment in blank levy

Whilst some suggest the blank levy given to movie producers as royalties should be withheld and used for the building of more cinemas for movie industry, Mr. Paul Adjei, better known as Paul Gee rather wants an increment.

This bid comes forth as Fred Nuamah, the face behind the Ghana Movie Awards put across in a recent interview that the levy given to producers answers not to their satisfaction and that if government could rather channel that sum of money into the building of cinemas, it would go a long in helping the industry.

Paul Gee in giving explanations to his views, he stated “I don’t agree with Fred. The copy right law didn’t assign our levy to building of cinemas but rather to applaud the performance of those who produce movies. The levy isn’t from government, neither is it a budget nor common fund. It’s a normal thing for the improvement of our work.”

He continued that the piracy on going in the neighboring countries, where Ghanaian movies are translated into the French language and sold off without producers consent is what is brought back to them as the blank levy. “The empty CDs and drive being brought in from elsewhere, have their duty paid to the customs service, which goes into the accounts of the attorney general and finance ministries then brought back to us. Building cinemas, yes very good but with our levy no. They should rather have a budget for the cinemas and not think of going in for our money,” he added.

The producer says they have no pension money which results in some who have worked for over twenty years, decide to go off due to finances which caters for them in terms of health or any related issue. Thus the blank levy comes in as a great support and will even wish it had been increased. He stated that the huge sums government have, can go into the building of cinemas and that their queer amount should be left alone.

Aside the increment in blank levy, Paul would wish the government could build special courts with judges who are more inclined in piracy matters to have the liberty in dealing with the piracy rate.

He as well mentioned that telecommunications should also be spoken to that, when people visit sites to watch their movies a quota be put aside and added to their blank levy. He added the film bill also should be passed in order to have telenovelas regulated to maybe twice a week at 10 pm. These he says if government could come to their rescue will be of much help than to touch their levy.