Musicians will not get their royalties in time for Christmas and New Year, the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO), has disclosed.
GHAMRO, in a statement copied to Myjoyonline.com, said there will be late distribution of December 2017 royalties to members of the organization.
The rights body noted that they may not be able to fulfill their obligation to musicians because they are yet to receive the statutory blank levy payment from government.
Read the full statement below:
Possible late distribution of December, 2017 royalties
The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) wishes to affirm the maturity of royalties to its members for the December 2017 season , but unfortunately payment to members MAY delay in reaching them before the Christmas and New Year festivities, due to circumstances beyond our control.
This predicament, is born out of the fact that GHAMRO is yet to receive the statutory blank levy payment from Government to enable prompt distribution of royalties for this particular season.
Cognisance must be taken of the fact that in August this year, GHAMRO distributed GHC 1 million, to music right owners which was not payment received from the blank levy funds from government, but internally generated money from collections made by GHAMRO from commercial music users in the country.
Due to the above reason GHAMRO does not have the financial capacity to effectively pay the desired minimum amount as royalties, to the music right owners in Ghana, barely 4 months from the last distribution based on collections only.
Prior to the above payment of royalties in August , an earlier payment was executed in April, 2017 which was arrears for December, 2016, making this December season the third, if GHAMRO is able to meet the “before Christmas “deadline as expected by the members.
The Board and Management of GHAMRO assures members that very soon, royalties shall be paid to them immediately upon the receipt of funds from government, since plans to collect cheque from the Finance Ministry is underway.
Any inconvenience caused by this announcement is deeply regretted and shall be rectified as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated patience and understanding of the situation at hand.
Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
