The duo argued that Ghanaian artistes are losing up to 30% of their earnings to withholding taxes
Ghanaian music twin duo Lali X Lola have formally petitioned the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Parliament to initiate bilateral tax treaties aimed at recovering international royalties withheld from Ghanaian musicians and other creatives.
In a press release and policy letter submitted to the Ministry of Finance and copied to the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the sisters, Patricia Delali Dake (Lali) and Trysha Wolali Dake (Lola) argued that Ghanaian artistes are losing up to 30% of their international earnings to withholding taxes imposed by countries with which Ghana has no tax agreements.
“Up to 30% of our royalties gone before it even reaches Ghanaian artists, distros and publishers. These are withheld and used to develop other countries,” their statement wrote.
Their letter calls on the government to negotiate bilateral tax treaties with key markets, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and EU member states, to prevent double taxation on royalties and ensure Ghanaian artistes receive full payments for their work.
“Our findings reveal that Ghana/Ghanaian artistes were/are losing substantial income due to withholding taxes imposed on international royalties and earnings from countries with which Ghana has no existing tax treaty.
“These withheld amounts, ranging between 10% and 30% remain inaccessible to our artists and the nation,” he said.
They proposed the creation of a national framework to track, recover and repatriate withheld funds, with transparent mechanisms to support artist welfare, intellectual property protection and creative industry development.
“Such a move would not only recover lost earnings and much-needed foreign exchange but also demonstrate Ghana’s leadership in protecting creative labour and enhancing the nation’s cultural economy,” they urged.
“The advocacy follows a May 2025 petition to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, which led to a meeting with Minister Samuel Nartey George and a subsequent report titled “Optimization of Musicians’ Revenue in Ghana and Building a Digital Framework that Protects Artists and Their Works.”
The study revealed that Ghanaian artistes were at a disadvantage compared to peers in countries such as Egypt, South Africa and Morocco, whose governments have negotiated similar tax waivers and treaties.
ID/AM
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