The PRO of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation, (GHAMRO) Prince Tsegah has revealed that the Rex Omar led GHAMRO administration has so far distributed an amount of GhC1, 746,000 as outstanding royalties to about 80 per cent of right owners.
According to Prince Tsegah, an amount of GHC411, 640 which forms part of royalties collected from last year was added to the statutory distribution of GhC1, 334,400 thus raising the current distribution amount for the December 2016 royalties to GhC1, 746,000, an increase of 20 percent.
In an interview with Showbiz on Monday, Prince Tsegah said the disbursement of the outstanding royalties which started on Wednesday April 12, were done through bank transfers, mobile money payments as well as over the counter payments for the old, disabled and infirmed members.
“We are currently mopping up and getting through to the rest of our members. We hope to reach all our members in the coming days,” he added.
Prince Tsegah said the current disbursement was for outstanding royalties from last year with two more distributions expected in either June or July this year and in December 2017 in accordance to the Copy Right Law (2005) and its accompanied Legislative Instrument (1962) which mandates members to receive royalties twice in a year.
“GHAMRO is still creating awareness among the public about the need to pay music royalties in order to increase the amount of money we are able to pay to our members.
“We urge all commercial music users such as broadcasting stations, telecommunication operators, shopping malls, restaurants, event organisers, hairdressing salons, barbering shops and all other public places, to apply to GHAMRO for a licence to regularise their use of musical works,” he said.
Prince Tsegah thanked the members of GHAMRO for their patience and confidence reposed in the newly elected administration.
He said the new administration is working tirelessly to secure the interest of musicians in the country.
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