Protecting our creative works must be a priority for authorities - Shirley Frimpong Manso

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• Maskitows 5 months ago

  Tweaah who wants to steal the rubbish you people have been forcing down our throats in the name of movie making for the last 40 years?

  Tweaah who wants to steal the rubbish you people have been forcing down our throats in the name of movie making for the last 40 years?

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• Accranie 5 months ago

  As We Await For Gh/Africans To Start Taking Democracy Seriously, Players In The Industry Can Do Some ProActive Things

  As We Await For Gh/Africans To Start Taking Democracy Seriously, Players In The Industry Can Do Some ProActive Things

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• Accranie 5 months ago

  If Ones Content Is In For Example The English Language, One Should Be Thinking About Making It Available To Audiences In Almost All English Speaking Countrys/ Translating For Non English Speakers

  If Ones Content Is In For Example The English Language, One Should Be Thinking About Making It Available To Audiences In Almost All English Speaking Countrys/ Translating For Non English Speakers

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• Hello youth of the world 5 months ago

  Say 'No' to drugs. Drugs will ruin your life.
  Say 'Yes' to Jesus. Jesus will build your life.

  Say 'No' to drugs. Drugs will ruin your life.
  Say 'Yes' to Jesus. Jesus will build your life.

  reply
• Salim F. Hannawi 4 months ago

  Recommendation for the Protection of Performers' Rights and the Advancement of Ghana’s Film Economy.
  
  As a concerned film practitioner, a Performer and an advocate for Performers' Rights and Ghana’s film economy, I urge ...
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  Recommendation for the Protection of Performers' Rights and the Advancement of Ghana’s Film Economy.
  
  As a concerned film practitioner, a Performer and an advocate for Performers' Rights and Ghana’s film economy, I urge immediate action to finalize and pass the Legislative Instrument (L.I) supporting Act 935 (The Film Development and Classification Act, 2016).
  
  Additionally, we must push for an amendment to the "Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690)" to fully align with the "Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances", which Ghana has ratified.
  
  Key Demands for a Fair and Sustainable Film Economy:
  
  1. Mandatory Contracts for All Performers:
  - Every performer must receive a contract explicitly stating all their rights under Ghana's Copyrights Act 2005 and the "Beijing Treaty" on Audiovisual Rights for the Performer's Performance.
  
  - Any producer or executive producer who denies, circumvents, or sabotages this requirement to secure the Performer's Rights for their Audiovisual Performances that's affixed to any Audiovisual faction must be held accountable as an exploiter of Performers and must face maximum penalty.
  
  2. Ending Perpetual Exploitation of Performers:
  - The current practice of paying a one-time "Performance Fee" while retaining performers' rights in perpetuity must end - No if's, No Buts - and unless it is fairly weighted and adequately compensated, that practice of getting Performers to sign those "In Perpetuity Contracts" for their Audiovisual Performances must end immediately to ensure a fair-earnings-for-all in Ghana's Film Economy.
  
  - Performers, as per existing Law is entitled to, and and rightfully deserve continued earnings from any exploitation throughout the lifetime of the content in which the Performer's Audiovisual Performances and Performance Rights are embedded in the content and or catalog including Residual Income and Royalties, just as Producers and Executive producers benefit from their Rights and earnings from all exploitation throughout the lifetime of the content.
  
  3. Urgent Review & Passage of the Legislative Instrument (L.I):
  
  - Ghana's Film Industry Stakeholders, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Sector Ministry must expedite the review and approval of the L.I supporting "Act 935" to ensure enforceable "mandatory" legal protection for performers as opposed to the mere mention of "Performers Right to a Contract" in the Ghana's Copyrights Act 2005.
  
  4. Ghana Actors Guild (GAG) Must Take Leadership:
  - GAG must develop a standardised "Professional Performance Rights Contract" for all members.
  
  - Albeit the notion of freedom of association, and to protect and guarantee the Performer of their Performance Rights, "Mandatory membership in GAG" must be enforced to ensure all Performers benefit from these Copyright Protections when secure mechanical / digital protection solutions are aligned with copyright infringements / enforcement laws.
  
  Why This Matters:
  - Performers’ audiovisual rights are "automatic under Ghanaian law" the moment their performance is affixed in a recording.
  
  - Without these reforms, performers remain economically disadvantaged, while others in the chain of title of Rights Owners and Rights Holders continue to profit indefinitely from their work.
  
  - A "fair film economy" must ensure that "all rights owners" i.e. performers, producers, and executive producers; earn sustainably from their contributions.
  
  Call to Action:
  I congratulate all stakeholders who have fought for progress thus far and call for immediate dialogue to ensure Ghana’s film industry thrives with fairness, equity, and respect for performers’ rights.
  
  Salim HANNAWI
  (Film Practitioner, Performer / Advocate for Performers' Rights & Ghana's Film Economy).
  05004 11 111.)

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