Winneba: Dr Benjamin Oduro Arhin, a lecturer in the Music Education Department at the University of Education, Winneba, has raised concerns about musicians who criticize the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) while continuing to receive royalties from the institution.
According to Ghana Web, Dr Oduro Arhin's comments came during an interview on Asempa FM, where he highlighted the reluctance of many musicians to join unions such as the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), citing the organizations' inefficiencies. He specifically mentioned Shatta Wale, pointing out the inconsistency in the musician's criticisms of GHAMRO while still accepting payments. Dr Oduro Arhin recalled that Shatta Wale received GHS50,000 in royalties in 2016, despite his claims that the institution was ineffective.
Dr Oduro Arhin further explained that many musicians have agreements with international distribution platforms across the USA, Germany, South Africa, and other countries. These agreements often include a Universal Royalties Collection License, preventing other institutions from collecting royalties on their behalf. This situation raises questions about the musicians' expectations from GHAMRO, given their external affiliations.
In 2022, Shatta Wale voiced his dissatisfaction with GHAMRO, alleging that the organization had failed to pay him his royalties. He claimed that most of his earnings derived from streaming platforms, concerts, and foreign royalty collection bodies. Expressing his frustration on Twitter, Shatta Wale highlighted the struggles faced by musicians in Ghana and criticized the industry's reluctance to speak out against such issues.