Radio stations owe COSGA over 400 million cedis

Kumasi(Ashanti Region) 12 Nov. ’99

Radio stations owe the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) over 400 million cedis in royalties with the highest being owed by Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the biggest public radio station in the country.

Mr Ebow Hawkson, Deputy Chairman of the National Commission on Culture and Chairman of the COSGA Oversight Committee made this known in Kumasi on Thursday at a meeting with musicians, composers, producers and spinners from the northern sector of Ghana.

Mr Hawkson said even though GBC had promised to pay 100 million cedis every month to settle its indebtedness, the Corporation paid only a paltry 25 million cedis once and discontinued the payments.

He said due to the intransigence of GBC, the smaller FM stations, had also refused to pay and that COSGA had asked the Ministry of Communications to intervene.

Mr Hawkson said COSGA had also appealed against a Kumasi High Court judgement, exempting Beer Bar Operators from paying royalties for using the recorded works of musicians.

He also said a register of COSGA members had been compiled and that only the registered members would be entitled to royalties collected on their behalf.

A proposal has been made for the name, COSGA to be changed into Ghana Musicright Society to embrace only musicians, composers and producers, Mr Hawkson said.

"A new hologram which will make piracy difficult will soon replace the present banderole to ensure the safety of the work of musicians".

He said COSGA and the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) had settled their grievances and pledged to work for the general well-being and prosperity of musicians.

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