We can’t be ignored; Kantamanto distributors warn
The dwindling fortunes of the creative sector have become a worry for stakeholders in the industry and the latest sector to express their frustration is the Ghana Association of Audio-visual Distributors (GAAD).
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The GAAD, an association that has been the backbone of the showbiz industry is calling on the government to intervene and put in place measures that will secure the welfare of its members and save the industry as a whole.
In an interview with Showbiz last week, the President of GAAD, Peter Wilson Otchere of Vineyard Productions, lamented how their sector has been ignored and how this might cause the collapse of the industry.
“I know we are not regarded in this industry because we work behind the scenes but the truth is that, we are the driving force of the creative industry. Should we collapse, the whole sector will crumble. That is what we want to avoid now,” he explained.
Providing over 50,000 jobs to its members, GAAD which oversees the distribution network of both movie and music CD sales, believes their relevance have been ignored by those in authority because they have been silent about woes.
“Let me tell you, Kantamanto is dying and that means the death of this industry. There’s always a cry about some of our old folks dying in poverty. Why won’t they die as paupers when as country, we can’t appreciate their works and contribution to the country?” he asked.
“There are no laid down structures or policies to retrieve royalties for these musicians when they are old and out of business. A musician works for many decades churning out music which heals the soul. As entertainers, they help to solve problems with the words of their songs and creative works but what do they get in return? Nothing but poverty,” he stated.
Mr Otchere said if the stakeholders in the creative arts industry are serious about the industry bouncing back, they must unite to fight for a common cause rather than relegating important players to the background as has been the fate of GAAD for many
years now.
Citing factors that has contributed to the shaky foundation of the sector, the CEO of Vineyard Productions said, “Dumsor was the number one killer. Now, let me ask you, who will come and buy a CD to listen to a song and watch a movie when there’s no source of power to do so? That crippled the business and brought it on its knees,” he said.
“Another factor is the proliferation of various music and movie distribution outlets online and the popularity of pen drives. As poor men, we bring our little resources together to produce stuff for the good of the society; yet, the government can’t even initiate proper policies to guard the welfare of our jobs and our interests. What have we done? You invest so much into a production and then unscrupulous persons use a pen drive and other similar media to sell your sweat. Is it fair?” he queried.
“With a camera or studio, we create movies and other creative work. This is what many of our members have thrived on for years and this has also provided jobs to others for decades. Through our work, the government generates income through the levy which is imposed on empty CDs imported into the country but what is the government doing for us in return?” he asked.
He said it was about time the members in the sector took their fate into their own hands and fought for their survival by imploring the government to provide their needs or “die in business.”