CopyGhana, the Reproduction Rights Organization (RRO) of Ghana, has disbursed more than GH₵15 million in royalties to approximately 2,500 rights holders over the past decade.
These beneficiaries, spanning various sectors within the country and beyond, have significantly benefited from these royalties, aiding their business endeavors.
Mr. Joseph Baffour Gyamfi, Executive Director of CopyGhana, revealed that prominent recipients include educators, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and the Ghana Union of Professional Photographers (GUPP), among others.
Speaking at a workshop for stakeholders in the creative arts sector in the Central Region, Mr. Gyamfi noted that many of the rights holders were scholars who contributed to knowledge through published non-fiction works.
However, he expressed concern over challenges faced by some universities and institutions in fulfilling their obligations to pay royalties.
“Innovative strategies are being explored to collect royalty fees from students,” he said, addressing the ongoing efforts to ensure that all dues are collected.
The workshop, organized by CopyGhana with support from collaborative partners, aimed to equip stakeholders with the necessary tools to ensure individuals benefited from their intellectual labor.
Established in 2011, CopyGhana has built a strong reputation and extensive networks, advocating for the protection of copyright for visual artists and creatives.
Mr. Gyamfi emphasized the importance of copyright protection, noting that it provides legal safeguards for original works, enabling owners to maintain authority over the utilization and monetization of their creations.
He highlighted that copyright protection covers a wide array of artistic expressions, including paintings, photographs, and sculptures, from the moment they are fixed in a tangible form.
This protection allows artists to reproduce, distribute, and publicly exhibit their works while granting them the ability to seek legal redress against unauthorized usage.
Furthermore, Mr. Gyamfi explained that copyright serves as a catalyst for creativity by motivating artists to generate new works without the fear of infringement.
In his remarks, Mr. Asare Konadu Yamoah, Chairman of the Board of CopyGhana, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to licensing educational institutions and other entities.
He urged research institutions, universities, and the business community to leverage the National Intellectual Property Policy to protect their designs, innovations, and products.
This proactive approach, he elaborated, would ensure optimal benefits, including royalties, from their creative endeavors, ultimately contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
Mr. Nathan Amoah, a staunch advocate for the Creative Arts, also encouraged intellectual property owners to vigilantly safeguard their rights to enhance their circumstances and future prospects.
