Patience Nyarko Should Shut Up, Churches Must Pay Royalties - Bernard Amakwah

Bernard Amakwah supports the Ghana Music Rights Organization's (GHAMRO) plan to make churches pay royalties on every artiste's songs they use per service.

His view is in Sharp contrast to Patience Nyarko's submission that churches should be exempt from paying royalties since gospel artistes all get their materials from churches in the first place.

Patience Nyarko calmly explained how the relationship between gospel artists and a majority of their fans (since most gospel artists have a bulk of their fans in the church) will be negatively affected if churches have to pay money to gospel artists for any of their tracks used.

“...they should leave the churches alone,”

“I agree with the transport bit because there are many cars in Ghana. If each car should pay GHS5 every year just like they pay for roadworthy certificates, GHAMRO can do a lot for musicians to be comfortable but they should leave the church alone,” she stated

Bernard Amakwah has been quick to refute that view as he noted that more gospel artists would be financially buoyant if everyone, including the church, paid their royalties on time.

According to him, Patience Nyarko and most others are poor because they lack knowledge and understanding of the business part of the music.

Since GHAMRO is trying to help them, Patience Nyarko should just shut up about things she does not understand. 

“For lack of knowledge my people perish. Patience Nyarko should have made enough money from her songs, everybody around her should have been happy. If you lack knowledge, understanding about something, shut up and pray for the one who is pushing an agenda that will benefit you.” he noted,