Entertainment

Ded Buddy calls for urgent reforms in music industry

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2025

Ghanaian R&B singer and songwriter Eric Kwasi Turkson, better known by his stage name Ded Buddy or Cwesi, has called on the government to take action to improve the way the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) operates.

His appeal follows mounting worries that, in spite of their music’s extensive distribution on numerous platforms, Ghanaian musicians are not being fairly compensated for their labour.

He revealed that after six months of their music being played on radio, television, and streaming services, many musicians only receive GH¢100 to GH¢200 in royalties.

“This is a crisis that threatens the survival of an industry that has the potential to generate significant revenue for our economy—it is not just an insult to the creative community,” he said.

He mentioned that Ghana has the talent and cultural clout to assert its legitimate share of the global music industry, which is worth billions of dollars.

He cautioned, though, that the nation runs the risk of missing out on economic opportunities in the absence of a transparent and effective Collective Management Organisation (CMO).

“Even though their music is widely consumed, the lack of proper rights management discourages investment, stifles growth, and forces many musicians into financial hardship,” he added.

For this reason, he demanded that CMO’s management be changed in order to guarantee equitable remuneration for all musicians, including producers and songwriters.

He emphasised how crucial it is to set up a functional CMO that ensures an open and fair distribution of profits.

Ded Buddy cited prosperous examples from nations like South Africa and Nigeria, whose music industries have flourished due to effective royalties collection and distribution.

“Ghana must not be abandoned,” he declared. Jobs for producers, engineers, marketers, event planners, and others are created by a flourishing music industry.

Additionally, it enhances the country’s standing as a centre of culture, drawing in foreign partnerships and tourists.

Ded Buddy added that organisations prepared to offer tracking systems for radio and television are part of the Alliance for Change in the Ghana Music Industry, of which he is a member, along with other important stakeholders.

The goals of these systems are to guarantee musicians receive just compensation and get rid of the inefficiencies that GHAMRO is currently experiencing.

Under the previous Attorney General, the Alliance pushed for a licence to establish a new CMO, but they haven’t seen any results yet. He called on the Attorney General and the President to step in and create a new, accountable, and transparent CMO that genuinely serves creatives.

He emphasised that while their creations benefit others, Ghana’s musicians, producers, and songwriters cannot be ignored any longer.

He declared, “This is a pivotal moment to address the injustice and put the music industry on a path to prosperity. To make this a reality, we are prepared to work with your office. Our music is an essential component of Ghana’s economic and cultural identity and serves as more than just entertainment. Let’s empower those who create it, so that it fulfils its proper function.”

Entertainment

Empress Gifty to thrill patrons at MTN Stands In Worship on Easter Sunday

Published

3 hours ago

April 19, 2025

Net News Ghana

Ghanaian gospel heavyweight, Empress Gifty is set to thrill thousands at this year’s MTN Stands In Worship event.

The programme brings believers together annually to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ.

This year’s edition, slated for the Grand Arena on Sunday, April 20, will feature Empress Gifty.

Against this backdrop, the anointed gospel musician has urged all patrons to come with a heart of worship and praise.

She is optimistic that a lot of miracles will happen through the ministration.

“Through our ministrations instant miracles will happen and you are going to have an encounter with God,” she told The Spectator.

Empress Gifty again appealed to patrons not to come alone, but with their families and friends to receive blessings.

Empress Gifty, who had a big song dubbed Watch Me, has been nominated in the Best Traditional Gospel Song of the Year and Gospel Artiste of the Year categories at this year’s 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards.

Entertainment

Debutant Bella Agyemang lauded for Box Office ‘Magic’

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2025

Net News Ghana

New producer, Bella Agyemang, has been hailed by Silverbird Cinemas and other industry players for her Box Office ‘Magic’ over the weekend.

Bella’s ‘Check In’ movie has received praise for being the first to sell at the cinemas this year.

Speaking to The Spectator, Sales and Marketing Lead at Silverbird Cinemas Ghana, Nana Kwame Obiri-Tete said, for a debutant, Bella Agyemang did fantastically well in her maiden premiere.

He said he was proud of Bella Agyemang’s effort in getting people to show up, adding that she engaged in a lot of marketing activities.

He said her marketing activations on the streets, coupled with other Public Relations endeavours, pointed in the right direction.

“With what she has done, it shows that Bella has a big future. You might have a good product, but if you fail to market it, you cannot get people to patronize. Bella put in a lot of work, which is why she was able to draw a lot of people to the premiere,” Obiri-Tetteh said.

Bella Agyemang, on her part, expressed appreciation to fellow actors, her team, media personalities and all stakeholders who supported her effort ahead of the premiere.

The much-awaited star-studded Ghanaian comedy movie ‘Check-In’ premiered at Silverbird Cinemas on April 12, 2025.

The movie tells a story of chaos and a blackout at a secluded hotel, and amidst these, a resourceful attendant must unravel hidden connections between guests and restore peace before secrets tear them apart.

The movie, produced by Bella Agyemang, featured Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), Clemento Suarez, Jeneral Ntatia, Priscilla Opoku-Agyeman, Felicia Osei, Gideon Kojo Boakye, Clinton Odoi, Fiifi Jefferson Pratt, and Gabriel Hogan among others.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

Entertainment

Ghanaian Guinness World Record holder presents certificate to GTA

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Net News Ghana

Ghanaian Guinness World Record holder for the Longest Marathon Makeup Application (103 hours, 25 minutes, 33 seconds!),Roselyn Akosua Mantey, on April 7, 2025 presented her certificate to the Ghana Tourism Authority at a press conference in the GTA Jake Obetsebi Lamptey Hall.

GTA Deputy CEOs Mr. Ben Anane Nsiah and Mr. Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey received it on behalf of CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto.

Mr.Gilbert Aggrey, affectionately called, Abeiku Santana hailed Roselyn’s feat as an inspiration to the youth and a boost for Ghana’s beauty sector on the global stage.