Joe Ghartey, Minister of Justice and Attorney General has advised musicians to study laws that concern their profession and be abreast with current trends in the arts and entertainment industry.

Addressing a conference organised by Metro TV in collaboration with BUSAC last Thursday, he disclosed that the Copyright Regulations are almost ready for parliament to study and pass.

He assured owners of intellectual property of the financial freedom in the golden age of business being implemented by the NPP government.

He urged musicians to take control of their own destinies like how a boxer, Oscar De La Hoya who manages the Golden Boy Promotions recently promoted the biggest fight of the year between Floyd Mayweather and Ricky Hatton.

According to Joe Ghartey, Ghana will maintain the piracy laws for owners of rights to enjoy from their talents and toils of creating.

Contributing to the conference, Eugene Akoto Bamfo, a legal practitioner with expertise in sports and entertainment law, said musicians must keep good books by employing professionals to advice them. He advised them not to fear to contact lawyers or accountants for professional service.

Carlos Sakyi, a music rights advocate who hosted the conference, expressed his gratitude to the musicians and other artistes who turned up in their numbers for the programme.

He pleaded with them to seek knowledge of the industry they operate in and know the laws guiding them.

He said knowledge of the law gives one confidence and an advantage when it comes to resolution of disputes.

According to the top organist, the law protects works from pirates and other forms of infringements, while giving one the control over the exploitation of works, ensure ones efforts are recognised, assists in getting fair contracts, makes one benefit from advertising, TV productions, videos films as well as generates revenue from airplay on various networks like radio and TV (performing rights), translations and adaptions, reproduction and sale of cassettes, CDs etc, for use on the internet and other digital media.

Carlos Sakyi told The Statesman "Those musicians, songwriters, producers and other practitioners who focus on acquiring knowledge of their rights under the Law are the ones who stand to benefit economically and socially."

Meanwhile, a new association, Professional Musicians Association of Ghana (PROMAG) has been formed to seek the welfare of musicians, especially to fight pirates and ensure that musicians benefit from their labour.

Some of the founding members of PROMAG are Stan Plange, Rex Omar, Ras Appiah Caleb, Carlos Sakyi and Gyedu Blay Ambulley.