Copyright Society gets new office

Spread, May 8/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

VICE-President Aliu Mahama has advised musicians to refrain from composing political party jingles and songs that can compromise the unity of the country.
He said during this political season, the parties might approach them with huge sums of money but warned that “the profit motive should be secondary to the patriotic call for stability”.
Alhaji Mahama, who gave the advice when he inaugurated a new office building for the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) in Accra yesterday, said during this period, musicians could, instead, play a role by preserving the integrity of the country through music.
“Music as a medium should be used as a tool to draw the attention of policy makers, politicians, civil society and the entire citizenry to the critical social challenges in a non-partisan way,” he said.
“Indeed, our hardworking musicians and other social commentators have kept alive the flame of discussion and sensitisation on social issues like HIV/AIDS, which is commendable,” he acknowledged.
Alhaji Mahama noted, however, that the country’s musicians could do more about issues such as drug trafficking, armed robbery, among others, which posed a threat to the democratic dispensation and social cohesion.
Consequently, he challenged artistes to entertain, educate and inform their audience, while allowing their works to have a liberating influence on society.
“As you are all aware, the high incidence of counterfeiting and piracy has led to the loss of jobs. As artistes, you have not been able to enjoy the full benefits of your labour through such illegal trade malpractice,” he said.
He urged those in the creative industry to fully co-operate with the security agencies and other regulatory agencies to ensure that what was due them was not lost through piracy and counterfeiting.
Alhaji Mahama also asked them to use the inauguration of the new office building as a rallying point for all artistes in the country to unite solidly behind their leadership in order to advance their cause.
On its part, the Vice-President said “the government shall continue to support you so that your labour will not be in vain”.
The Chairman of the COSGA Board, Alhaji Sidiku Buari, said the new office project, which was a four-storey block, was started in 1996 but could not be completed for lack of funds.
He said it was through the efforts of the new COSGA Board that the ground floor of the building had been completed.
Alhaji Buari expressed disappointment at the manner in which the board was being chastised in certain quarters and urged the media to investigate any allegations made against members of the board.