The Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) and Apprise Music & Media, one of Ghana’s leading digital music distribution companies, are in advanced discussions to establish a formal partnership aimed at protecting artist rights, improving metadata systems, and advancing copyright education in Ghana’s music industry.
The meeting, which took place at the Accra office of Apprise Music, brought together the CEO of GHAMRO and key representatives from the organization. They were welcomed by the management team of Apprise Music, led by its founder and director, Michael Bamfo.
Shared Vision for the Music Industry
Both organizations expressed a shared vision of creating a fairer, more transparent music ecosystem. The discussions highlighted concerns over metadata inaccuracies, royalty misallocation, and the need for stronger systems to protect Ghanaian artists.
“This is a critical moment for our industry,” said Michael Bamfo. “We are working towards a future where Ghanaian music is not only heard globally but is also properly monetized and safeguarded. This collaboration with GHAMRO is an important step in achieving that goal.”
The CEO of GHAMRO reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to improving royalty collection and distribution systems, enforcing copyright laws, and educating stakeholders within the music sector.
Key Areas of Collaboration
The two organizations outlined several areas for partnership:
- Hosting joint seminars and workshops, both online and in-person, on copyright, royalties, and metadata management.
- Establishing a consultation and referral system to assist artists with rights-related concerns.
- Coordinating media campaigns, including press releases, social media content, and cross-linking between official websites.
- Organizing joint collection drives and advocacy campaigns to draw government attention to copyright reform needs.
- Drafting and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the partnership.
Metadata Accuracy and Artist Empowerment
A key outcome of the meeting was the mutual decision to involve the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industries (GAPI) in future discussions on metadata development. The goal is to build a reliable system that ensures Ghanaian songs remain discoverable, properly credited, and consistently monetized.
Apprise Music, which manages catalogs for legendary artists such as Amakye Dede and Afro Moses, as well as modern talents like Eno Barony, Abiana, and Team Eternity Ghana, brings valuable expertise in digital music distribution and data management.
GHAMRO, as Ghana’s statutory body for collective rights management, will play a central role in aligning the initiative with the country’s copyright framework and ensuring fair compensation for music creators.
The Road Ahead
Both parties are committed to finalizing the MoU and launching public campaigns to inform artists and stakeholders. The partnership is expected to serve as a model for how rights organizations and digital platforms can work together to enhance the music industry in Ghana and beyond.
