Failing to Reform GHAMRO Denies Musicians Their Rightful Income

Robert Klah, Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse Ghana, has issued a strong call for urgent reforms to the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO), stating that the current system is failing musicians by denying them fair royalties for their work.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Hitz FM on August 4, 2025, Klah emphasized that the conversation around preserving the legacy of Ghanaian music legends must begin while artists are still alive—not just after their deaths. According to him, a functioning royalty system is essential to honour the contributions of musicians meaningfully.

“If GHAMRO remains broken, we’re not just neglecting the system—we’re actively depriving our artists of the right to earn from their creations,” he stated. “Legacy isn’t something we celebrate only when someone passes. It starts with valuing them in the present.”

Klah argued that discussions around legacy and estate management are empty if the foundational structures that ensure income from intellectual property (IP) are not working. Without proper systems in place to track, manage, and distribute royalties, artists and their families are left with little to nothing—both in life and after death.

“Estate management involves protecting the financial value of a person’s work after they’ve passed. But how do you do that when the systems to support earnings were never there in the first place?” he asked.

Royalties: A Right, Not a Privilege

He went on to criticize the country’s current approach to royalty payments, calling it unjust and unsustainable. According to Klah, many Ghanaian musicians who helped shape the nation’s cultural identity are living—or dying—in poverty due to a broken system that fails to reward their creative labour.

“I find the way we treat royalty issues disturbing,” he said. “People pour years of talent and hard work into this industry, only to be forgotten and left without financial security. It’s unacceptable.”

For Klah, the root of the problem lies in the lack of a modern, transparent IP framework and the absence of efficient tracking systems to monitor music usage and ensure proper compensation.

“If we want to build a music industry that sustains its artists, we must start by reforming institutions like GHAMRO. This includes creating fair policies, implementing technology-driven systems, and ensuring accountability at every level,” he stressed.

Supporting Artists While They’re Still Here

Klah reiterated that preserving the legacy of Ghana’s music icons requires more than tributes and memorials—it demands real-time action to protect their rights and livelihoods.

“Legacy starts now. If an artist releases music today, let’s ensure they get paid for it. That’s how we truly honour them,” he concluded.

His comments come as increasing numbers of creatives and industry stakeholders push for structural reforms within Ghana’s music ecosystem to ensure that the next generation of artists can thrive in a system that values their contributions—not just celebrates them after they’re gone.