Techiman (B/A) April 19, GNA - The Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry is to set up an anti-piracy task force in Brong Ahafo that would collaborate with the Police to flush out music pirates in the region.

The force would ensure that the exercise would be carried out on a sustainable basis to help rid the region of the economic saboteurs. Mr. John Mensah-Sarpong, President of the Association, who disclosed this was briefing newsmen on Thursday in Techiman after a combined team of the Police and some members of the Association had arrested about 20 music retailers engaged in the practice in the Municipality.

They will be screened and those found culpable would be prosecuted in court to serve as a deterrent to others, he said.

Pirated works were also confiscated from musical shops and drinking spots, including Big Ofori, Twin Digital, Franco Computers, Afriyie Music, and Saudiya Boutique in the exercise.

Mr. Mensah-Sarpong noted that the activities of the pirates were "a pain in the neck" of the association and called for a concerted effort by all and sundry to deal with the menace "since their criminal activity is killing creativity and culture".

He appealed to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to intensify public education on copyright laws in Ghana to sensitise stakeholders in the music industry about the need to observe such rules and regulations to stem the canker that had engulfed the industry. The exercise was the second in the series undertaken by the association in the region, the first one at Berekum.

In a related development, members of the association in collaboration with the Police have arrested Isaac Yaw Amofah, owner of Fox Entertainment in Sunyani, also for engaging in piracy.

Various electrical items running into millions of cedis including television sets, CD bags, flat screen computers and accessories, recording systems and a large quantity of pirated CDs were seized by the team.

Also arrested was his assistant, Christopher Anto at their recording studios in Sunyani, following a tip-off and investigations by some members of the Association's team.

The two have been placed in police custody and would be put before court to face trial after investigations.

Mr. Mensah-Sarpong said the arrest of Amofah and his assistant was "very important" as the suspect was a principal actor in the piracy business, whose works are well patronized by restaurants, hotels, spinners and drinking spots in the Sunyani Municipality". 19 April 07