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Carlos Sakyi Excited About the Fact that 100 musicians Have Taken Him to Court – Says “This is What I Have Been Waiting For”

Carlos Sakyi

 

Ghana’s King of Highlife music, Nana Kwame Ampadu was among 100 of the country’s best musicians, composers, song writers, music producers and music rights owners who have accused Carlos Sakyi, Chairman of Ghana Music Right Organization GHAMRO, of embezzling funds GHAMRO collected on behalf of music right owners in Ghana.

They filed the suit on Thursday May 15, 2014. According to the writ of summons, Carlos Sakyi and other GHAMRO Board members including Amandzeba, K.K. Babobo and Mark Okraku Mantey “have deliberately refused to organize even a single Annual General Meeting since May 2011 when they took office as interim Board Members.”

It further states; “Carlos Sakyi, Amandzeba, KK Kabobo and Mark Okraku Mantey have been dissipating the funds of the organization to the disadvantage of the Rights Owners and have been paying themselves monthly salaries between GH2, 000 and GH4, 000, excluding other allowances, even though the regulation of the organization expressly forbids the payment of salaries.

GhanaCelebrities.Com recently learnt that Mr. Carlos Sakyi has been served with the court writ. Speaking to him, he said “we are preparing for court so I’ve been extremely busy. I think the time has come for trial by media to end so the justice system takes over…The lies, sabotage, distortions, etc. will be replaced with truth and facts!

I am very excited about this court option. This is what I have been waiting for. Hundreds are being misinformed and misled but thousands are satisfied with our transformational agendas that has brought so much joy and financial relief to the vast majority of music rights owners who have declared total confidence in us..God will see us through.”

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Carlos Sakyi…Why Don’t You Resign? Integrity is Far Better than Money

Carlos Sakyi

 

I was supposed to write this piece last week but I got pushed into other writings and at long last, I am letting it flow—as it should be.

I’ve never met Carlos Sakyi and I have never listened to his music which may not still be on the market—because it is too old to be found, let alone have any substantial claim to royalties. In fact, I got introduced to Carlos Sakyi’s radio commentary on Peace Fm’s Entertainment Review and from the many times I listened to him, he came across as a man who had done some readings on Copyright Law—though limited.

Despite the fact that he is not a Copyright expert (and I hope he does not claim to be), he has an unshakable passion needed to push any campaign, and this he manifested through his zealous submissions when it came to Copyright issues and those relating to the welfare of Ghanaian musicians.

From the numerous times I listened to him, I formed an assumption of a man who stands for integrity that translates into a bid to ensure that what is right is done. He had no problem articulating how Ghanaian musicians are being taken for granted—copyright wise. He always presented strong cases that indeed indicted many of the bodies that use the work of Ghanaian musicians without paying the appropriate fees and royalties.

Considering Carlos Sakyi’s level of advocacy, one would assume that being the Chairman of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) for an interim period purposely to prepare the way for a constitutionally elected board and Chairman was a test of his commitment to what he had always preached—-the rule of law.

But over the months, he has been slapped with several issues which raise concerns about his commitment to the rule of law and the general welfare of Ghanaian musicians. Among all the prima facie cases put against him, the most worrying of them all is the violation of the existing constitutional provision on tenure of office for the interim board.

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Photos: Ghana Gospel Industry Awards Nominations/Cocktail Night

The nomination night for the second Ghana Gospel Industry Awards (GGIA) took place last night in Accra. In attendance were veteran and new gospel musicians as well as members of the awards’ various committees. DSP Kofi Sarpong, Bessa Simons, Carlos Sakyi, Mark Okraku Mantey, Rev Thomas Yawson, Rev Mary Ghansah, Prince Tsegah, Selina Boateng, Lady … Read more