Bar operators in the Sekondi/Takoradi have deplored the move by the Western Regional Musician Union of Ghana to collect what it terms Copyright Licence Fees for playing their music at their bars.
The bar operators said there was no prior notice about the intended fee which has been fixed at GH¢500.00 and that they do not make profit to that effect even in a year round operation.
It said initially a letter was sent to the operators which stated that, “The interim Copyright Management Team (ICMT) is a body set up by Honourable Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in accordance with the Copy Right (Amendment) Act, (2009) Act 788 to manage the affairs of COSGA.”
Then the next day, COSGA members stormed their premises with police to enforce the law to pay or have their businesses closed down.
According to some of the operators, the approach adopted by the COSGA/MUSIGA Western Region was not the best.
They said the claim by COSGA/MUSIGA was good and they would be ready to contribute to the development of music in the country but, “it was wrong for COSGA/ MUSIGA to invade our premises with police to close our businesses down.”
One of the operators, Esther Hagan, called on the COSGA/MUSIGA Western Region to educate the people so that a compromise could be reached but not to employ what she described as dictatorial tactics to achieve their target.
She said from the letter that was given to them, requesting the payment of copyright licence fees, part of it stated that “The ICMT hereby requested you to settle your bill immediately.”
Ms Hagan said, unfortunately, there had not been any meeting to agree on anything only to give them letters and the next day .
When contacted, the Chairperson of the Western COSGA, Rev Lititia Anim-Wiredu, said they had taken into account the concerns of the bar operators and would pass the message on to Accra.
At the moment, the operations have been suspended.
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