Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has made a significant announcement: Ghana will launch its first homegrown music streaming platform in November, promising to revolutionize the way royalties are collected and distributed for creatives. This move is intended to address the long-standing issue of Ghanaian musicians receiving inadequate compensation for their work on international platforms.
Dr. Bawumia, addressing stakeholders in the creative arts sector, highlighted the need for a local solution that prioritizes Ghanaian artists. He expressed concern about the current situation where international platforms like Spotify provide minimal financial benefits to Ghanaian musicians.
“Spotify and other platforms are externally owned, so it’s not surprising that the payments to our musicians are very little,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a fairer system.
This new platform, a collaborative effort between MUSIGA, GHAMRO (Ghana Music Rights Organization), music producers, and the private sector, aims to ensure that creators receive a more equitable share of the revenue generated from their work. The platform will provide tools for revenue management, royalty tracking, and increased opportunities for content creators.
Dr. Bawumia expressed his excitement about the project’s completion, stating, “I’m very happy to let you know that the work has been completed. We are ready to launch the first local streaming platform for Ghanaian musicians and film producers next month, in November.”
This initiative holds the potential to be a game changer for the Ghanaian creative arts industry. By providing a dedicated platform for showcasing and monetizing local talent, it aims to create a more sustainable and equitable ecosystem for creatives, allowing them to fully benefit from their work and fostering the growth of the industry.
Key aspects of this platform include:
– Local Ownership: This platform is designed to be owned and operated by Ghanaians, ensuring that the majority of the revenue generated stays within the country and benefits local artists.
– Fairer Revenue Model: The platform is expected to offer a more equitable revenue model, allowing creators to receive a larger share of the profits from their music and film productions.
– Royalties Management: The platform will provide robust tools for tracking and managing royalties, ensuring that creators receive their rightful share of revenue generated from their work.
– Increased Opportunities: The platform will create new opportunities for Ghanaian artists to reach wider audiences both domestically and internationally, potentially leading to increased visibility and revenue.
The launch of this local streaming platform is a testament to the government’s commitment to supporting the creative arts sector in Ghana. It is expected to be a catalyst for growth and innovation, empowering Ghanaian artists and contributing to the overall development of the country’s cultural landscape.