Preparations for the burial and final funeral rites of the late Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo have reached their final stages, with his family, children, and the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission pledging to give the revered spiritual leader, industrialist, inventor, technologist, farmer, and philanthropist a befitting farewell.

The family has announced that following earlier discussions surrounding succession matters, all differences have been resolved, allowing everyone to focus on celebrating the remarkable life, achievements, and enduring legacy of one of Ghana’s greatest innovators and nation-builders.

The burial ceremony of the late Apostle Emeritus Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Safo will take place on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the Kantanka Automobile Manufacturing Centre at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region.

The venue, which serves as the industrial hub established by the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo, represents his lifelong dream of creating a fully Ghanaian automobile manufacturing industry.

According to the family, the arrangements are being carried out in line with his final wishes. Apostle Kwadwo Safo left detailed instructions on how he wanted to be remembered, leading to the construction of a magnificent memorial building within the industrial complex to preserve his legacy.

The memorial facility will house his personal belongings, including his clothing, footwear, tools, inventions, prototypes, and selected works. It will serve as a permanent centre where future generations can learn about his contributions to Ghana’s industrialisation, technological advancement, and national development.

The national funeral service will follow on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Black Star Square (Independence Square) in Accra, where thousands of mourners from Ghana and beyond are expected to gather to honour the iconic industrialist, inventor, and spiritual leader.

The funeral is expected to attract a high-profile gathering of dignitaries from the political, traditional, religious, diplomatic, and business communities.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to lead the nation’s tribute, alongside Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, government ministers, and other senior officials.

Former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have also expressed their willingness to attend the funeral in honour of Apostle Emeritus Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Safo.

Joining them will be former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as well as national executives of both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, together with Members of Parliament from both the Majority and Minority sides, are also expected to attend.

In a special parliamentary tribute, the Speaker has directed that a statement be made on the floor of Parliament in memory of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo. Members of Parliament from both sides are expected to recognise his extraordinary contributions to engineering, automobile manufacturing, agriculture, education, science, and technology.

The funeral at the Black Star Square will also bring together thousands of members of the Kristo Asafo Mission from across Ghana, as well as representatives from the Church’s international missions, who will join family members, friends, admirers, and well-wishers to celebrate the life of their founder and spiritual leader.

The final funeral activities will end with a Thanksgiving Service on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi.

The service will provide an opportunity for family members, Kristo Asafo Mission members, friends, sympathisers, and the general public to give thanks for the life and achievements of a man whose vision inspired generations.

Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo leaves behind a legacy of innovation, self-reliance, industrial excellence, and service to humanity.

Through his pioneering work in automobile manufacturing, engineering, agriculture, education, science, and technology, he demonstrated Ghanaian and African creativity and the ability to develop solutions to local challenges.

His contributions remain a lasting testament to Ghanaian ingenuity and resilience, with his life’s work expected to continue inspiring generations to come.

Source:www.ghanaweb.com

The Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) is set to begin its first royalty distribution of 2026 on July 27, introducing a major transparency initiative aimed at rebuilding confidence among Ghanaian musicians and rights holders.

For years, many musicians have expressed frustration over royalty payments, often questioning how their earnings were calculated and why the amounts received appeared significantly lower than expected. The lack of detailed explanations surrounding royalty distributions frequently led to speculation, complaints and allegations that payments were influenced by factors other than actual music usage.

GHAMRO says it is now taking decisive steps to change that narrative.

Personalized Royalty Statements Introduced

For the first time, every beneficiary in the July 2026 distribution will receive a personalized royalty statement detailing exactly which quarters and revenue streams generated their earnings.

The move is intended to improve transparency by allowing composers, performers, producers and publishers to clearly understand how every pesewa of their royalties was calculated.

According to GHAMRO, transparency is now central to its operations, with creators demanding more than just payments—they want detailed accountability for how royalties are earned and distributed.

Technology Driving Fairer Royalty Distribution

GHAMRO says the latest improvements are supported by advanced international copyright management technologies that align with global best practices.

The organisation now uses:

• WIPO Connect for repertoire management.
• ACRCloud for broadcast monitoring.
• CIS-Net for international rights data exchange.
• CISAC standards for copyright administration.

These systems are designed to improve the accuracy of music tracking, strengthen royalty matching, enhance international collections and ensure creators receive royalties based on verified music usage.

GHAMRO believes technology has become the backbone of fair royalty distribution in today’s digital music economy.

GHS1.43 Million to Be Distributed

The upcoming distribution covers several royalty categories and periods.

The total amount to be distributed is GHS1,433,571.43, broken down as follows:

• Background Music Royalties (Q1 & Q2 2026): GHS500,000.00
• Digital Mechanical Royalties (mainly Q3 & Q4 2025): GHS706,149.55
• Digital Performance Royalties (mainly Q3 & Q4 2025): GHS160,641.88
• Live Performance Royalties (mainly Q3 & Q4 2025): GHS66,780.00

One of the standout figures in this year’s distribution is the highest individual royalty payment of GHS121,000, demonstrating the potential for significant earnings when music usage is accurately tracked and royalty collections improve.

Record Digital and International Collections

GHAMRO also announced that it has achieved its highest digital royalty collections and largest international royalty collections since the organisation was established in 2011.

The milestone reflects the growing importance of digital streaming platforms and international music usage in generating income for Ghanaian creators.

A Long Journey Toward Reform

Ghana’s royalty management system has evolved significantly over the years.

Before GHAMRO, royalties were managed by the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA). Prior to that, many Ghanaian musical works were administered through foreign collecting societies.

GHAMRO was established to create a more efficient, technology-driven copyright management system capable of protecting the interests of Ghanaian creators in an increasingly global music industry.

The organisation says its investment in digital monitoring systems, international data exchange and detailed royalty reporting demonstrates steady progress toward that vision.

Current leadership has also been praised for honouring its commitment to distribute royalties twice each year, despite operational challenges.

Licensing Challenges Still Remain

Despite the progress, GHAMRO acknowledges that one of its biggest challenges remains the unresolved issue surrounding its operating licence.

The prolonged licensing impasse continues to limit the organisation’s ability to maximize local royalty collections, reducing the amount available for musicians and other rights holders.

GHAMRO argues that businesses, broadcasters and commercial establishments that use music without paying the required licence fees are benefiting from creators’ work without fairly compensating them.

The organisation says the issue extends beyond copyright enforcement and has become an important economic concern affecting composers, performers, producers, publishers and Ghana’s wider creative industry.

It is calling on the Office of the Attorney General to resolve the licensing process as soon as possible, warning that continued delays could have significant financial consequences for Ghana’s music economy.

More Work Ahead

While applauding the progress made, GHAMRO believes there is still room for improvement.

The organisation says musicians require continuous education on royalty calculations, music registration and metadata management to ensure they maximize their earnings.

It also urged broadcasters and commercial music users to take licensing obligations more seriously while proposing regular stakeholder engagements, enhanced digital self-service platforms and faster resolution of royalty disputes to further strengthen confidence in the system.

Looking Ahead

GHAMRO says its latest royalty distribution marks a significant step toward building a more transparent and accountable royalty system for Ghana’s music industry.

With improved technology, record international collections, stronger digital revenue, personalized royalty statements and a top payout of GHS121,000, the organisation believes it is moving in the right direction.

However, it maintains that achieving a truly sustainable royalty ecosystem will require stronger government support, an effective licensing regime and greater compliance from businesses and broadcasters that benefit from the use of music.

According to GHAMRO, when creators are fairly rewarded for their work, the entire music industry—and Ghana’s creative economy—stands to benefit.

Source:Adomonline

Ms. Ramatu Gumah has been appointed Chairperson and Head of Africa Diaspora Relations for the Africa Development Council (ADC)  with the responsibility of leading the Council’s engagement with Africans in the diaspora and strengthening its international partnerships.

The appointment marks a significant milestone in the Council’s efforts to deepen collaboration between Africa and its global diaspora while advancing its vision of promoting sustainable development, economic transformation, diplomacy, and Pan-African integration.

ADC Appoints Ms Gumah-Chairperson-Pan Africa Affairs (1)

As Chairperson and Head of Africa Diaspora Relations, Ms. Gumah will report directly to the President of the Africa Development Council and provide strategic leadership for one of the organisation’s key departments. Her mandate includes developing and implementing initiatives that foster stronger relationships between the Council and diaspora communities, governments, development institutions, diplomatic missions, and international organisations across the world.

In her new role, she will spearhead ADC’s diplomatic and international engagement strategy, working closely with embassies, high commissions, and global institutions to expand the Council’s footprint and strengthen cooperation on issues affecting Africa and its diaspora.

Her responsibilities also extend to promoting the Council’s interests through engagement with multilateral organisations such as the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), Africa’s Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the European Union (EU), and other international partners. Through these engagements, she is expected to facilitate dialogue, encourage strategic partnerships, and advance initiatives that support Africa’s development priorities.

A key aspect of Ms. Gumah’s portfolio will be facilitating international trade and business negotiations, encouraging investment partnerships, and creating opportunities for economic collaboration between African countries, the diaspora, and global stakeholders. The Council believes these efforts will contribute to attracting investment, promoting entrepreneurship, supporting innovation, and enhancing economic opportunities across the continent.

Beyond diplomacy and international relations, Ms. Gumah has also been tasked with overseeing grant proposal development and resource mobilisation initiatives aimed at strengthening the sustainability of the Africa Development Council. She will coordinate efforts to secure funding from development agencies, philanthropic organisations, international institutions, and strategic partners to support programmes that advance education, youth empowerment, women’s leadership, cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, and community development.

Working in close collaboration with the Council’s Protocol Department, Ms. Gumah will further enhance ADC’s international visibility through strategic communications, public diplomacy, institutional branding, and stakeholder engagement. Her office will play an instrumental role in coordinating high-level meetings, international conferences, investment forums, and cultural exchange programmes that project the Council’s vision and mission to the global community.

The appointment reflects the Africa Development Council’s confidence in Ms. Gumah’s leadership, professional experience, and ability to build meaningful partnerships that advance the organisation’s Pan-African agenda. Her extensive background in stakeholder engagement, cultural diplomacy, leadership, and international collaboration is expected to strengthen the Council’s efforts to unite Africans across borders and create opportunities for shared growth and development.

According to the Council, the Africa Diaspora Relations Department will serve as a strategic bridge between the continent and millions of Africans living abroad, recognising the critical role the diaspora plays in driving investment, innovation, knowledge transfer, advocacy, and sustainable development.

ADC believes that stronger engagement with diaspora communities will contribute significantly to the continent’s socioeconomic transformation by promoting collaboration in sectors such as trade, technology, tourism, education, healthcare, culture, and the creative economy.

The Council further noted that Ms. Gumah’s leadership will be instrumental in establishing long-term partnerships with governments, international development organisations, civil society groups, private-sector institutions, and diaspora associations that share the vision of a prosperous and globally competitive Africa.

Her appointment comes at a time when African institutions are placing greater emphasis on harnessing the expertise, influence, and resources of the diaspora to support the implementation of continental development priorities and strengthen Africa’s voice on the international stage.

As Chairperson and Head of Africa Diaspora Relations, Ms. Ramatu Gumah is expected to champion initiatives that foster unity, strengthen international cooperation, attract strategic investment, and build enduring partnerships that contribute to the advancement of Africa and its global diaspora.

The Africa Development Council expressed confidence that her appointment will further position the organisation as a leading Pan-African institution committed to promoting diplomacy, economic development, cultural exchange, and sustainable partnerships that benefit the continent and its people.