Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Abla Dzifa Gomashie says comic actor Akrobeto should be earning “a lot of money” from his famous laughter, as she calls for stronger copyright enforcement and better royalty systems for Ghanaian creatives.
Speaking in an interview with Pulse Ghana, published on Tuesday, 27 October, the minister said her ministry is working with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to build the capacity of local copyright institutions so they can serve creatives more effectively. Her comments have also been carried by The Chronicle.
“Creatives need their works protected,” she said, stressing the need for systems that allow artists to benefit financially from their intellectual property.
To illustrate the problem, the minister pointed to Akrobeto, whose distinctive laughter is widely shared in videos and memes. “Akrobeto, for example, should be earning a lot of money for his laughter that we all use. We use it, but we don’t pay him anything,” she said.
Madam Gomashie, herself a veteran actress, argued that the problem becomes more serious as creatives grow older and are no longer working on new projects. She said society should not be surprised when veteran entertainers struggle with the cost of healthcare and basic living expenses while their work continues to circulate without earning them any income. “Why are you surprised?” she asked.
She compared the situation to publishing, where an author can continue to earn when a book is reprinted or released in new editions, and said similar structures should ensure creative works keep generating income for their owners long after their first release.
According to Pulse Ghana, the minister also recalled discussions at a WIPO event in Accra, noting that the organisation had chosen the Ghanaian capital to host its first African conference. She said her broader goal is to build structures that make the tourism, culture and creative arts sector sustainable, so that creators can earn a living from their work rather than depending only on new projects and performances.
The remarks are likely to reignite debate in the creative industry about royalty collection and the use of artists’ work online, a long-running concern for musicians, actors and comedians alike.
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