“I THREW AWAY MY MOMO SIM AFTER GH¢158 ROYALTY PAYMENT” – Ded Buddy Slams GHAMRO

Ghanaian musician Eric Turkson, popularly known as Ded Buddy, has added his voice to the growing chorus of artists criticizing the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) over what they describe as meager and insulting royalty payments. In a recent interview with DJ Qwequ on Ahomka FM, Ded Buddy revealed that he was so frustrated with the paltry sum he received that he discarded the Mobile Money (MoMo) SIM card linked to his GHAMRO payments.

The artist disclosed that his last royalty payment from GHAMRO was a mere GH¢158, an amount he found laughable considering the time, effort, and resources he invests in creating and promoting his music. “My last MoMo payment from GHAMRO was GH¢158. I buy pure water with such an amount. As an artist, I record songs and promote them with a significant budget, only for GHAMRO to send me such a paltry sum. I’ve even thrown away that MoMo SIM. I don’t need their money again,” he lamented.

Ded Buddy also highlighted the broader impact of GHAMRO’s inadequate royalty system, arguing that it discourages foreign investment in Ghana’s music industry. “When foreign investors consider investing in your music, they ask for your royalty stats. The current system pushes them away because they realize they won’t get a return on their investment. Young artists are struggling to make money from their craft through GHAMRO, and it’s a serious problem,” he explained.

His comments come amid ongoing calls from Ghanaian artists for GHAMRO to reform its royalty distribution structure. Several high-profile musicians, including Fancy Gadam, Michael Adangba, and Ohemaa Mercy, have previously expressed dissatisfaction with the organization, accusing it of failing to ensure fair compensation for their creative works.

Ded Buddy’s decision to discard his MoMo SIM card symbolizes the deep frustration felt by many artists who feel undervalued and unsupported by the very organization tasked with protecting their rights. As the debate over fair royalties continues, his story underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to empower Ghanaian musicians and attract investment to the industry.

Source:NKONKONSA.com