Ignore ‘lawless’ Akosua Agyepong – GHAMRO

daniel russell

February 4, 2016 12:01 PM

Akosua Agyepong is reported to have alleged that Bandex and co-executives of the collective society have embezzled GH¢500,000.00 meant to be royalties

Akosua Agyepong at Starr FM studios

Prince Tsegah, Communications Director of Ghana Music Right Owners (GHAMRO), has stated that veteran highlife musician, Akosua Agyepong should not be taken serious.

He was reacting to allegations by the singer that executives of GHAMRO have embezzled funds.

Akosua Agyepong is reported to have alleged on Kasapa Entertainment that Ahmed Banda (Bandex) and co-executives of the collective society have embezzled GH¢500,000.00 meant to be royalties for music right owners.

She has argued that Government paid an amount of GH¢1,925,300 to GHAMRO on March 17, 2015, but text messages sent to musicians indicated that there would not be any disbursement in December because the said amount was disbursed among members in June.

“As at March 17, 2015, Government released an amount GH¢1,925,300 to GHAMRO which should have been distributed among musicians as their royalties. We had information that the monies were distributed in June so because of that there wouldn’t be any money to be shared in December but what we all know is that monies are being shared twice in a year.

“I was amazed to hear this so I quizzed Bandex about why GHAMRO has refused to pay our royalties and I was told by him that there is no money in the account so I asked him the whereabout of the money that the old executives left behind (5.450 billion old cedis), he then answered that the money is intact in GHAMRO’s account,” a publication on kasapafmonline.com quoted her to have said.

But Prince Tsegah, reacting to the allegations on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz on Thursday, asked the public to disregard the claims because Akosua Agyepong is dwelling on rumours.

“Anybody who makes a case as Akosua is doing based on rumours, without even going to GHAMRO to crosscheck should not be taken seriously. The Attorney general herself told you that you are making a mountain out of molehill, there is no corruption happening; still Akosua is pushing this agenda. So the question is, ‘who is behind this?’” he pointed out.

Mr Tsegah continued: “They are now putting in place structures. Hitherto, there were none. People were receiving cheques that were bounced. Is Akosua saying she did not know this for her to question her husband? Why is Akosua saying this when people are being paid? Why should she deceive people into thinking that there is money for December royalties? Her pursuit in forming a new collection management is on parochial interest.”

According to him, Ms Agyepong’s approach to the issue is wrong because “there is an annual general meeting in April where stakeholders discuss such issues but she is doing everything out of term. Akosua is ‘lawless’ in this situation because there is a laid down procedure in doing this.”

daniel russell