No music today - GHAMRO, others tell stakeholders

The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), and other bodies including the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and the Copyright Office, have declared today as 'No Music Day', expecting that no radio or television station, hotels, restaurant and other hang outs will play music.

This initiative, according to the bodies, is to let the world know how important a role music plays in our society and emphasise why royalties should be paid to musicians.

The bodies are joining the Confederation of International Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) to observe the day with other African countries.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, GHAMRO President, Rex Omar, said if people cannot live without music, then they should make life easy for musicians by paying them royalties for their work.

“We are asking that no music should be played anywhere today and let’s see if we will be productive today. It is time music consumers pay royalties to musicians to make life comfortable for them," he said.

Rex Omar said he was surprised that radio and TV stations are refusing to pay royalties to musicians adding that the worst culprits are the popular TV and radio stations.

“We have taken GTV and other media houses to court for not paying royalties and very soon Ghanaians will know how GHAMRO is working towards the betterment of our great musicians,” he said.

President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Bice Osei Kuffour, noted that music is an essential commodity that cannot be ignored so there is the need for music consumers to ensure that musicians get what they deserve.

“Music, if taken seriously can help the economy because so many people benefit from it. Music has provided employment for so many people; from sound engineers to distributors and graphic designers,” he said.

Diana Hopeson, Second Vice Chairperson of GHAMRO, said churches should value musicians who work so hard to put their music out there.

“It is our wish that the 'No Music Day' will be observed so that everyone will see the importance of music,” she said.

A representative from Zylofon Media, who are partners of the event, Frank Kwabena Owusu, said his outfit is supporting the cause because it is worth it.

Some industry players, including Mark Okraku Mantey who represented the Creative Arts Council, Producer, Ahmed Banda (Bandex), and musician Abirekyire Ba Kofi Sammy among others were also at the event.

-Showbiz