|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Bohyeba Richard
Renowned musician Rex Omar has voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing complaints from some Ghanaian musicians about royalty payments. Speaking on Ideal FM 96.7’s GHANA WONSOM, hosted by Bic Abeiku Okai, Rex Omar highlighted that many of the musicians complaining are not even registered members of the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GAMRO).
He directed part of the blame toward media houses, including the radio stations engaging in these discussions. Specifically, he mentioned that Ideal FM 96.7, like many others, has not fulfilled its obligation to pay the Public Performance Royalties (Pesewa) to GAMRO.
“You, the radio station, you’re talking to me, but you haven’t even paid Pesewa to GAMRO,” Rex Omar boldly stated during the interview.
He continued by noting that over 80% of radio stations in Ghana are not paying these royalties. “If the station is not paying, and over 80% of the radio stations are not paying, how do you expect us to pay the musicians?” he questioned.
Rex Omar also brought attention to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), stating that the state broadcaster has failed to make royalty payments for more than six years. Even after being ordered to pay, GBC claimed they lacked the necessary funds and defaulted on their obligations. “Even the cost damages they were supposed to pay, they didn’t. We had to organize their accounts before taking the money from them,” he revealed.
In his conclusion, Rex Omar emphasized that the media houses should be blamed for the royalty payment issues, not GAMRO or himself.
“Blame the media houses and not me,” he asserted.
Source:locotvgh.com