Stop collecting PAYOLA, presenters urged

Accra, April 18, GNA - Radio presenters and Disc Jockeys have been urged to desist from collecting money from musicians and their producers before playing their music on air.

"This practice, which is called Pay or Lose Airplay (PAYOLA), does not exist in the United States and European countries. Such an act is considered a criminal offence," a Ghanaian broadcaster in the United Kingdom and an expert in the music industry, who wants to be known only as Kwaku said.

Speaking on Thursday at a seminar for musicians and people in the music industry, he said PAYOLA had caused a lot of young musicians who did not have enough money "to push their music" see their works and talents come to a standstill. Kwaku deplored instances where musicians did not receive enough remuneration for their songs played on air by radio stations and for public performances.

He appealed for strong measures to be put in place to ensure that security devices embedded on compact discs and cassettes were good enough to stop piracy.

Mr Bernard Bosumprah, Copyright Administrator, appealed for the establishment of a fund for the protection and development of folklores and arts in general in the country. "Our folklores are rich and of commercial value and we cannot let them go to waste while the nation goes around begging for money," he added.

He called for the documentation of all the designs of the various kente produced in the country for the original creators to enjoy copyright since kente weavers in neighbouring countries have started using those designs.