Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse Ghana, Robert Klah, has called for urgent reforms at the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) to ensure musicians receive proper royalties during their lifetime.
Speaking on Hitz FM on August 4, 2025, during a discussion on how to protect the legacy of Ghanaian icons after their passing, Robert emphasised that honoring musicians should begin while they are still alive, not only after their death.
“If, for any reason, we have not fixed the GHAMRO issue, we are depriving them of the right to earn. So, if you want to talk about honouring somebody’s legacy, it starts with when the person is alive, and then it translates to when the person is gone.
“Because everything about estate management, which concerns the financial aspect after someone passes, like managing their works, requires a functioning system. If you haven’t fixed your IP framework, if you haven’t fixed the system to ensure they can earn, then there’s really nothing coming through in terms of revenue,” he said.
Robert explained that preserving the legacy of Ghanaian icons must start with ensuring they earn income from their intellectual property while alive.
“You want to preserve their legacy? It starts with taking interest in ensuring that when they work and put out content, they are able to earn,” he added.
He also criticised the current state of royalty payments in Ghana, describing it as poorly managed and unfair to artists who have significantly contributed to the music industry.
“This thing about royalties, no matter how we look at it, I just don’t like the way it’s being handled. And I think that’s where it all begins. Because people have contributed their quota, and then they die poor. Does it make sense?” Robert questioned.
“If, for any reason, we do not resolve the GHAMRO issue, we will deprive them of their right to earn. People have contributed their quota, and they die poor; it doesn’t make sense.” — Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications at Charterhouse Ghana#DaybreakHitz… pic.twitter.com/TkMcD8auRE
— Hitz 103.9 FM (@Hitz1039FM) August 4, 2025
AK/MA
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