Attorney General bans Copyrights Association Board
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 October 2001 - The National Commission on Culture, in consultation with the Attorney General, on Thursday barred Mr Joe Mensah and other board members of COSGA from holding themselves as legally elected officers of COSGA.
A statement in Accra signed by Professor George Hagan, Chairman of the National Commission on Culture, said "with immediate effect, you and your board should stop coming to the COSGA office in that capacity."
It went on: "To that effect, all keys to COSGA offices and other properties in your possession must be handed over to the Acting Chief Director of the National Commission on Culture latest, at close of day Friday 26th October, 2001."
The statement directed Mr Mensah to refund 2,100,000 cedis which he paid out of COSGA's accounts to the plaintiffs and their lawyers to COSGA and show to the Acting Chief Director receipt covering the refund''.
Meanwhile, all COSGA accounts have been frozen with immediate effect. The commission has also directed Mr Mensah to submit COSGA chequebooks in his possession to the Chief Director of the NCC by tomorrow.
The statement said over the past months complaints have been received from many quarters over the legitimacy of the board. Consequently, the Attorney General and all stakeholders have tried to settle amicably the problem but this has failed due to Mr Mensah's alleged machinations.
It said the election of Mr Mensah and the mandate of the board was flawed since the composition and quorum that elected him contravened the COSGA Regulation (L.I.1527).
The statement said the commission, in consultation with the Attorney General, has decided to settle soon, all issues relating to COSGA elections.
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