ATTORNEY-GENERAL (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Hon. Joe Ghartey has
broken his silence over the frequent public outcry by musicians for
government to take a serious look at the music industry regarding
copyright and if possible probe certain officials in the industry.

The minister, who is himself a writer and an intellectual property owner, said he was aware of the countless complaints about the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA).

However, he said as a lawyer he must listen to both sides before taking any pragmatic measures, explaining that accounted for his inability to act on the complaints.

“With regards to all the complaints about COSGA and so on, I think that the Law as I said allows for societies freedom of association. I would not want to comment about it, not because I am afraid to take any decision but because I am a lawyer, and lawyers must hear both sides of the story,” he indicated.

Hon. Ghartey said these in response to a question by a ‘distressed’ musician concerning the alleged failure of COSGA to account to musicians, at a ceremony dubbed Music And Law Conference, under the theme “The Impact Of The Right Legal Framework On Music Industry Growth.”

The programme, hosted by Carlos Sakyi, was organized in Accra at the Kama Conference Center on Thursday by Metro TV and OMP in collaboration with BUSAC.

Hon. Ghartey pleaded with the musicians to spare him all the controversial issues with reference to COSGA, explaining that COSGA was not present to provide answers. Besides, he did not attend the ceremony purposely to adjudicate any group, saying “I have come here to take decisions. I have not come here to meet COSGA and anti-COSGA groups.”

However, he advised musicians in Ghana to live in harmony and work towards a common goal. He said even though musicians had the freedom to join any organization to protect their interest they should be careful not to antagonise one another.

The minister assured the musicians of his support, to make them benefit from their intellectual properties. He accordingly presented to them a copy of a new copyright regulation, which he said would strengthen the copyright system in order to fetch more money into their pockets as intellectual property owners.

He asked the musicians, some of whom were in the persons of Carlos Sakyi, Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Rex Omar, Stan Plange, Slim Busterr, Ras Caleb Appiah, to study the regulation critically and also make contributions before it is finally passed, stressing “this is your opportunity to make some input in the regulation”.

The regulation, he said, among other things deals extensively with security devices, allows for the operation of collective administrations and the setting up of tribunals to look into copyright cases and many other measures to affect musicians in a positive way.

Highlighting on the effectiveness of Ghana’s copyright from the past, he noted that “first of all we failed as a nation in our obligation to revise our notes by 2002.

“As late as 2005 we were still dealing with copyright but I always believe that it is better late than never, because when you give me a glass which is half filled I will always say it half full, I will never say it is half empty.”

He however said the copyright system no doubt meets international standards, citing the duration of copyright in sound recording being increased from 50 to 70 years.

The A-G said the 70 years as pertained in other countries such as Nigeria and Burkina Faso enabled surviving relatives of producers of music to enjoy the benefits of protected works for a longer period.

He continued that the Copyright Act in Ghana deals with piracy as well as security devices but said that was just the beginning as the new regulation is coming into force to make things better.

Some of the musicians asked questions while others made good suggestions to the Minister. Kiki Banson, the producer of musician Becca, said radio stations must be made to play local music at times just as Fridays are designated for African wear.

He as well suggested a digital method of tracking the payment of royalties.