Ghanaian music royalties: Only 16 broadcasters complying

Ghanaian rapper and entrepreneur D-Black has raised concerns regarding low royalty compliance among broadcasters in Ghana. Following a meeting with the new Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), D-Black revealed that only 16 radio and television stations out of more than 700 are currently paying royalties to the collective management organisation.

The complying stations identified include SportyTV, PCG TV, Pent TV, Nasira 104.5 FM, Lucky FM, Joy Prime, Hope FM, Channel One TV, Adom TV, Adom 106.3 FM, Pent Radio 90.1 MHz, YFM 99.5 FM, Asempa 94.7 FM, Hitz 103.9 FM, Joy 99.7 FM, and Citi 97.3 FM.

GHAMRO CEO Jackson Brefo noted that the state broadcaster, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), has failed to pay royalties despite losing a court case regarding its obligations. Under Ghana’s Copyright Act, broadcasters and various commercial entities—including bars, malls, and religious institutions—are required to obtain licences and pay royalties to support songwriters, composers, and publishers.