GAPI Swears in New Board, A blend of the old guard and fresh blood

A 5-member Board of Trustees for the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry (GAPI), has been sworn in by Ms. Dorothy Habada on behalf of the Attorney General at the Copyright Office, Accra- Ghana. The ceremony follows an opening of polls which saw the new board members picking nomination unopposed. The representative of the electoral commission thus declared the contestants as due winners paving the way for the swearing-in ceremony. The boards members are as follows;

1. Chairman ​– Seth Kwaku Amponsah

2. Vice chairperson​– Nana Yaa Owusu Prempeh

3. General secretary – Richmond Adu Opoku

4. Financial secretary – Augustina Addison

5. Organizer – Collins Abeka

In attendance was the Chairman of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) – Rex Owusu Marfo, Chief ExceutiveOfficer of Ghamro – Abraham Adjatey, Acting President of the Musician’s Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) – Bessa Simons, Director of Operations for the Greater Accra Regional Police command – ACPIsaac Kwadwo Asante. Deputy Director of Elections of the Electoral Commission of Ghana – Mr. Samuel Kwaah and members of the immediate past Interim Management Committee of GAPI, members of the Election Committee and some members.

Addressing the Board after the swearing in Ceremony, Rex OwusuMarfo, admonished them to work with diligence and grow tough skins as their new chattered terrain required such for success. The CEO of Ghamro on his part expressed optimism in the new board and stated that they represent an array of light for the entire industry.

The Chairman of the Board thanked the speakers and attendees for their magnanimity. The General Secretary, Richmond Adu-Poku outlined some of the projects the Board would embark on.

Background

In July, the Ghana Association of Phonographic Industries (GAPI) was injected with fresh energy after members met to deliberate on issues affecting the organization. The producers, music makers and executives decided to put measures in place to raise the Association to the level it used to be some decades ago.

They thus put in place a 6-member interim management board with Seth Kwaku Amponsah as Chairman and Nana Asa Mensah, Samuel Adjei Frimpong, Augustina Addison, Francis Adofo Omare, Becky Asiedu Gyebi as members.

Subsequently, an Election Committee was constituted to organize elections and have the baton of leadership handed over to the such leaders as may emerge from the electioneering.

Ghana Association of Phonographic Industry

GAPI played a pivotal role in the passage of the Copyright Act 690, for the revision of the Ghana cultural policy and also engaged with the National Development Planning Commission in the development of policy direction for the creative industries.

GAPI members also played an active role in the formation of The Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO).

The Association had Dr Osei Kwame Despite the owner of Despite Group of companies as its first chairman alongside other musicheavy weights as executive members.