Fancy Gadam said he received only GH¢123 from GHAMRO as royalties
The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) has issued a public clarification following concerns raised by popular musician, Fancy Gadam, over the meagre amount of money he received as music royalties.
Recently in a fiery post on social media on December 15, 2025, Fancy Gadam lamented receiving just GH¢123 from GHAMRO despite his hard work.
Fancy Gadam ‘roars’ over GH¢123 royalties from GHAMRO
However, in a press release dated December 16, 2025, and signed by Gordon Mensah, Head of Digital Service and Distribution, GHAMRO acknowledged Fancy Gadam’s contribution to Ghana’s music industry but explained that fluctuations in royalty payments do not reflect neglect or diminished value of any artiste.
According to GHAMRO, it does not collect or distribute sound recording (master) royalties from digital platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Boomplay.
GHAMRO explained that earnings from Digital Service Providers (DSPs) are largely made up of sound recording royalties, which are paid directly to the owner of the master recording, usually through digital distributors or record labels.
“GHAMRO does not collect or distribute sound recording (master) royalties from Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
“Sound recording royalties… are paid directly to the owner of the master recording, usually through the right holder’s digital distributor or record label. If Fancy Gadam owns the sound recordings he invested time, resources, and sleepless nights to create, those earnings are paid to him by his distributor, not by GHAMRO,” the body clarified.
According to GHAMRO, publishing royalties account for only 15–20 percent of total streaming revenue.
“In the digital ecosystem specifically, publishing royalties represent approximately 15–20% of total streaming revenue. The remaining 80–85% relates to sound recording rights, which fall outside GHAMRO’s scope.
“As a result, a decline or absence of digital usage reports received from DSPs directly affects only the publishing portion payable by GHAMRO, not the master recording income paid by distributors,” it stated.
The organisation further revealed that over 90 percent of broadcast networks in Ghana fail to pay royalties or submit valid usage reports, making accurate distribution difficult.
“Where broadcasters do not pay or do not submit valid usage reports, GHAMRO cannot lawfully distribute royalties for those uses, regardless of how popular an artist’s music may be on air,” the body explained.
On live performance and synchronisation royalties, GHAMRO said payments depend on valid licensing, accurate programme returns and up-to-date registration of works, warning that unreported or unlicensed usage cannot generate royalties.
GHAMRO reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness and encouraged Fancy Gadam and other members to engage directly with its distribution team for detailed clarifications.
See the statement below:
ID/EB
Watch more videos from the 2025 Praise Achievement Awards below:
