CHURCH WAGES WAR

he Church of Pentecost has petitioned the Copyright Office of Ghana through it's National Music Committee against Evangelist Diana Asamoah for using five songs which the Church Published and owns without permission or prior approval from the Church.

In the Church's Petition it cited "Never Go Back", "Pentecoast Gya", "Sunsum Kronkron","Nyame Aguamma" and "Yen Nyankopon as their own which were on her Evangelist Diana's latest album. By not seeking the Church express permission before recording, packaging, distributing and selling the album, the Gospel Preacher and Singer and her producers Frimprince Music owned by Frimpong Anane has trampled upon the rights granted them by the copyright Act, Act 690.

The Copyright office upon receipt of the petition by the Church wrote a letter to the Singer for her response. In the letter the Copyright

Administration Office gave the accused party up to Monday 6th, October 2009 to respond or be left at the mercy of the Church and the Church's solicitors. It is not common for issues like this to crop up but it is highly unconventional to see a Church take the steps it has taken in a matter of propagating the Gospel and leading people in to Christ. Besides this two concerns arise;

1. Why have the Church decided to take Evangelist Diana Asamoah and Frimprince Music on and not all who are guilty of the same practice.

2. Want actions will the Church take after her response or otherwise.

This is indeed a test case for the Church, the Artiste, the law courts and the copyright laws of Ghana and may be a huge milestone in the practice of law in connection with music and copyright in Ghana.