The members of the Association of Music Right Owners (AMRO), made up of prominent Ghanaian musicians, has commended the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice...,

Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, for putting in place an independent professional body, the Interim Copyright Management Team (ICMT), to bring efficiency into the administration of the copyright sector.

The members of AMRO, which is home to the greatest names in Ghanaian music, past and present, as well as many song writers, said the appointment of ICMT would not only help to inject professionalism into the operations of the copyright sector, but also help the music industry to grow.

They were of the view that the ICMT would work tirelessly to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector, as well as promote peace among the players in the music industry.

According to them, they are now convinced that members of ICMT, who are professionals, would promote greater participation and transparency at all levels.

The musicians advised the copyright management team to practice an open-door policy to enable the views and concerns of the stakeholders be taken into account, before any decision is taken.

They, however, called on all the musicians, music producers and other industry players to rally their support behind the ICMT to enable them carry out their ambitious and effective plans for the copyright sector.

The musicians, who were not happy about the problems facing the industry, expressed regret about the drastic fall of the music industry in the country.

They contended that the use of music by corporate organisations, companies and individuals, without paying mechanical royalties to the composers, is a great source of worry to the industry.

They called on ICMT to take drastic measures against all music users who failed to pay royalties to the right owners for using their works.

The association, which has branches in Kumasi, Cape Coast and Takoradi, is a membership organization made up of more than 1000 composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music throughout the country.

AMRO is the only performing rights organization created and controlled by composers, songwriters and music publishers, with a board of directors elected by and from the membership.

The association was established to protect the rights of its members by licensing and distributing royalties for the non-dramatic public performances of their copyrighted works.

AMRO members are individuals who make their living by writing music. As a society of composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers, “We know very well that there are many steps between creation and compensation; months, if not years, can pass between the creation of a song, its recording, its release, its performance, and the day when the revenues due to the writer actually arrive,” they stressed.