Ghana, Nigeria sign historic copyright agreement

The sole government approved collective management organizations for musical works and sound recordings in Ghana and Nigeria have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to represent the interest of each other in their respective countries.

The MoU was signed between the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) and Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) December 15, 2012 at the COSON Headquarters in Opebi, Lagos, Nigeria.

The signing was done when a four-man Ghanaian team paid a three-day working visit to Nigeria.

Ghana’s team was led by Mr. Carlos Sakyi, GHAMRO Chairman; his Deputy, Mr. K.K. Kabobo; the President of the Musicians’ Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Mr. Bice Osei Kuffour and a representative of the Ghana Copyright Office, Ms. Sheila Djagmah.

Key clauses of the MOU include:-

1. To do everything possible to liberate the creators, performers and investors in music in both countries from the many years of exploitation and servitude and vigorously assert and defend their rights and ensure that they earn proper income henceforth for their creative endeavor;

2. To share information and experiences in documentation, tariffs, licensing, distribution and other relevant areas of collective management of copyright for the benefit of the creators, performers and investors in the music enterprise in both countries;

3. To represent the interests of the other organization and its members in the country in which the CMO operates;

4. To work together to promote collective management of copyright within the West African sub region and the continent of Africa and act as catalysts for positive change so as to ensure measurable and visible income for creative people throughout the sub-region and the continent.

Among those who witnessed the signing was Nigerian musician Banky W, Obi Asika, CEO of Storm 360; Audu Maikori, CEO of Chocolate City Music among others.

The Ghana delegation as part of their working visit met with the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam Ezekude and the Director- General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe

By EkowQuandzie