GHAMRO is corrupt -Wanlov

Afro-Gypsy musician Wanlov the Kubolor says until
the issue of corruption, which pervades all aspects
of society, is dealt with once and for all, the
collection and distributing process of royalties by
the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO)
would never be fair and transparent.
The issue of fairness, transparency and equity in
the distribution of royalties among music right
owners has been of grave concern to various
musicians because the process was mismanaged
in the past.
“Corruption reflects on all levels from the ground to
the topmost level. When you see the ‘borla’ in the
gutters and the police and the politicians being
unlawful and taking monies that do not belong to
them… All those things would have to be fixed
simultaneously.
Unless those things are done at the same time, the
royalty and music collection societies in Ghana will
also be corrupt,” Wanlov told NEWS-ONE.
Wanlov disclosed that he was currently registered
with the Performing Right Society (PRS) for Music
in UK which enables him receive royalties anytime
his music is played anywhere in the world apart
from Africa.
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“I’m registered with PRS in UK. With that,
everywhere in the world—apart from most
countries in Africa—where my music is played, PRS
collects the royalties and sends them to me,” he
stated.
However, the ‘Green Card’ hit maker added that
most radio stations in Ghana refuse to submit their
playlists and pay royalties to the international
collection bodies, noting that it is against the law
because it amounts to stealing from artistes.
“Most of the radio stations in Africa are illegal and
they do not also report their playlist or pay the
royalties for the musicians to collect with their
collection agencies. As we speak, there is no one
radio station in Ghana that pays royalties to any
international body, which is against the law
because you are stealing from the artiste,” he said.