Ga Mashie "pacifies" sea for abundant fish catch

Copyright Committee opposes bill

Accra (Greater Accra), 23^rd June 99 -

The Ga Mashie traditional authority, in conjunction with fishermen in the area, on Tuesday held a purification ceremony near Ussher Fort in Accra to "pacify" the sea and pray for abundant fish catch for the Homowo festival.

The traditional rites include pouring of libation and slaughtering of a cow by Nai Wulomo, Nii Numo Tete III.

He was assisted by the Ga Woleiatse (chief fisherman), Nii Abeo Kyerekuandah and the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayitey Agbofu II.

As part of the ceremony, the sacrificial animal was taken round all the sacred houses in Ga Mashie amid drumming and dancing.

It was finally brought to the Nai Wulomo's palace where libation was poured after which the animal was slaughtered.

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Accra (Greater Accra), 23^rd June 99 -

The Oversight Committee of the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) on Tuesday registered its opposition to the new bill on copyright, saying it gives every authority in the music industry to the Copyright Office.

It said the bill, in its present form, would perpetuate the impasse that has bedevilled the music industry in Ghana if it is passed into law.

Mr Ebow Hawkson, Deputy Chairman of the National Commission on Culture and Chairman of the Oversight Committee, told a press conference in Accra that a proposal incorporating the input of music practitioners has been submitted to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

The press conference was organised to refute recent negative media publications about the activities of the Oversight Committee.

Press reports had quoted the Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) as saying the Committee is inefficient and that the term of office of its members has expired. MUSIGA also claimed that the Committee has been buying banderoles from cheaper sources.

Mr Hawkson said the committee is working towards the effective functioning of COSGA and that a board of directors would be set up after a general assembly of the society.

He said the committee has appealed against a court ruling, which has prevented it from making use of huge amounts of money that has been locked up since last year.

A number of organisations owe COSGA as a result of which music composers, authors and publishers who depend on royalties for a living are broke.

Mr Hawkson said Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) owes COSGA about 200 million cedis but has so far paid only 25 million cedis, he said, adding that because of the court ruling, the Committee cannot pursue defaulters.

He said the Committee has saved for COSGA over 100,000 Pounds sterling from the sale of banderoles that would have gone down the drain as a result of mismanagement and malpractices.

This year, the Oversight Committee brought in quality banderoles from the United Kingdom at a cost of 9,000 Pounds sterling per one million copies.

These are cheaper than those procured over a period of seven years at 12,000 pounds per one million copies by the former COSGA administration.

Mr Hawkson appealed for peace in the music industry to allow for development.

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