UEW Lecturer Says Shatta Wale Got GH¢50k In Royalties But Still Labels GHAMRO Inactive

A lecturer from the University of Education, Winneba has raised concerns about comments made by dancehall artiste Shatta Wale regarding the Ghana Music Rights Organisation, saying the musician did receive royalty payments yet still describes GHAMRO as inactive.

According to the academic, Shatta Wale’s claim that GHAMRO is not functioning properly appears inconsistent with recent transactions showing that he was paid about GH¢50,000 in royalties through the organisation. The lecturer said that such payments indicate some level of activity and effectiveness by the body tasked with collecting and distributing music royalties.

The lecturer added that it is important for artistes to acknowledge the roles of institutions that support their monetary rights and earnings. He emphasised that while GHAMRO, like many other institutions, may have areas that need improvement, dismissing the organisation entirely could undermine efforts to strengthen copyright administration and protection for creators.

Shatta Wale had previously stated in interviews that GHAMRO was largely inactive and not benefiting artistes as expected. In his comments, he suggested that many musicians struggle to receive fair compensation even when their works are widely used. This view has been shared by some other artistes who feel that the royalty collection system needs reform.

The lecturer said this is an opportunity for open dialogue between artistes and rights organisations to address any gaps and ensure fair systems are in place. He advocated for constructive engagement rather than sweeping criticism, noting that collaboration can help create better structures for royalty distribution and transparency.

Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some fans agreeing with the lecturer’s view that artistes should recognise payments received before dismissing organisations. Others continue to support Shatta Wale’s call for a more efficient and responsive system that better serves the interests of musicians.

The issue highlights ongoing debates about music rights administration in Ghana and the challenges artistes face in securing reliable income from their creative works.