Aged Ghanaian musicians to receive support

In a radio programme with Hitz FM, the organisation’s Deputy Chairman Ahmed Bande (also known as Bandex) said the support would benefit musicians who are a decade older than 50 and above. The scheme, according to Bande, is to be funded by royalties that come to the music rights’ organisation. “10 percent of every royalty that comes into GHAMRO is set aside for the welfare.

“We are giving the aged something every month aside their royalties. Those who are 60 years and above, persons with disability and those who are not well [will benefit].”

Those eligible for the support will receive GHc100 ($25) every month. Response to the scheme, however, has been uneven as eligible artists are not forthcoming. “We have asked them to come and update their works,” he said, “but majority of them have not come.”

For facilitation of the policy, Bande said radio and television stations will need to abide by the current royalty payments. He also mentioned a possible raise in the amount for beneficiaries.

“When the radio and TV stations are paying, that is when we can even increase the money from a GHc100 to maybe GHc1000.”