Gospel singer Joyce Blessing recently shared her disappointment over the low royalties she’s received from the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) throughout her decade long career.
Speaking during an interview on GHOne TV, she revealed that since the beginning of her music journey, she has only been paid GH¢1,200 in royalties an amount she considers far too small for her contributions to the industry.
“I received GH¢1,200 from GHAMRO in 2016. We have talked about this issue for a very long time but the status quo remains the same. I came to meet the system just as it is so I don’t think I can change something about it,” she said in an interview on Accra-based GHOne TV.
Blessing’s frustration mirrors that of other musicians in Ghana, including D-Black, Fameye, Keche, and fellow gospel artist Ohemaa Mercy, who have similarly voiced concerns about the inadequate payouts from GHAMRO.
Ohemaa Mercy revealed in 2023 that she had only received GH¢300 as royalties, highlighting a pattern of dissatisfaction among Ghanaian artists.
Joyce Blessing emphasized that despite ongoing discussions about GHAMRO’s inefficiencies, no significant improvements have been made.
She encouraged musicians to rely less on royalties and instead focus on honing their craft and performance skills.
“In this era, we find ourselves. I think the artistes should do what is right to sustain in the scenes, then feed their fans with music, and with your abilities and stagecraft, God will intervene by helping you get shows to cover,” she added.
The broader issue of GHAMRO’s accountability has sparked calls for reforms within the organization, as artists continue to demand fairer compensation for their creative work.