GAPI debunks allegation

Kumasi, Sept. 25, GNA - The Board of Trustees of the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry (GAPI), on Thursday stated that its endorsement of the use of a sticker as a security device for musical works was a collective decision by all members.

It has, therefore, denied claims by some non-members of the association that the Board of Trustees took a unilateral decision in coming out with the use of the sticker to check piracy in the music industry. A statement jointly signed in Kumasi by Mr John Mensah Sarpong, National President of GAPI and Reverend Francis Boahene, Deputy General Secretary described the accusations as unfounded. It said members of the association, who had economic right to music, produced and bought the security devices to protect against piracy. The statement said all the paid-up members of GAPI gave their blessings to use of the sticker at a meeting because they foresaw that it would be an effective mechanism to check piracy. It gave other reasons for the use of the sticker as, ensuring fairness and transparency, promoting goodwill and erasing mistrust between producers and their artists as well as helped properly monitor activities of piracy.

GAPI, the statement said believes the sticker could be used before any complex digital security device could be introduced since Ghana was yet to have the technology to monitor a "back code" security system. It reiterated that the entire executives and members of GAPI were solidly behind the use of the sticker and challenged any group of persons or individuals to come out with facts to the contrary.