Cassette distributors, retailers on demonstration

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) - The Ashanti Region Cassette Distributors and Retailers Association has vowed to resist attempts by the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) to stop them from distributing and selling cassettes without the GAMUGRAM label.

Members of the association demonstrated through the principal streets of Kumasi to register their protest against what members of the association described as harassment by COSGA and the police.


Speaking to the GNA after the demonstration, Mr Baffour Manu, Ashanti Regional Vice-Chairman of the Association, said the action was a prelude to a two-day strike to draw attention to the unwarranted conduct of COSGA.


He said the association was not responsible for purchasing the GAMUGRAM and that producers of music were expected to do so and called on the government to intervene in the matter to avert any confrontation.


Mr Manu said COSGA and the Police Striking Force, armed with guns and handcuffs, confiscate cassettes of members of the association without any justification, about two weeks ago.


He stated that the association was prepared to face COSGA and the police if they embarked on any such action again since members bought the cassettes from producers of music and were issued with receipts.


Mr Manu said COSGA knew producers who had refused to buy the GAMUGRAM and failed to arrest them and wondered why distributors and retailers should be harassed.

He said the unilateral action of COSGA was intended to saddle members of the association with debts in spite of the fact that they paid income tax to the Internal Revenue Service.


Mr Augustine Charles Manu, Secretary to the Association, said it would resist any attempt by any government agency in association with COSGA to cheat producers, distributors and retailers.


He, therefore, called on the Copyright Administrator and related officers to stop harassing members of the association and to resign.


Mr King Sarfo of Standard Music, an Executive Member of the association, said some agencies seized cassettes from members though they had receipts covering them.


He cited that Customs, Excise and Preventive Service officials seized cassettes he bought from Accra at the Kubease barrier though he had receipts covering them.