M-COSGA leadership denies allegations

Kumasi, Nov. 2, GNA - The leadership of Music Copyright Society of Ghana (M-COSGA), said it did not authorize anybody or group of persons to use the name of the Society to collect royalties for musicians. It, therefore, described as unfounded allegations and rumours circulating in the music industry that the leadership was using the name of the Society, which has not yet received approval in its operations to collect royalties on behalf of musicians.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr John Mensah Sarpong, President of Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry (GAPI) and a leading member of M-COSGA, released to GNA in Kumasi on Saturday. It said the rumours were malicious and a calculated to tarnish the image of M-COSGA and intended to bring the name of the group into disrepute.

The statement said the leadership of the Society was aware that it was illegal to operate under the name of a group that has not being commissioned and would not do anything to undermine the credibility of the Society and its leaders.

It said the leadership was preventing unscrupulous people from using the name of the Society to collect unauthorized monies from the public. The statement cited an incident in Sunyani, where the leadership together with Mr Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, Copyright Administrator for the Northern Sector, reported to the police some people, who were issuing receipts in the name of M-COSGA, leading to their arrest. It said the case was pending at the Sunyani police station and asked those who were spreading the rumours to cross-check from the police. The statement called on all stakeholders in the music industry to desist from spreading falsehood about the group.