Music duo Lali X Lola petition Minister over unpaid royalties

Ghanaian music duo Lali X Lola has officially petitioned the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation over what they describe as a troubling case of nonpayment of streaming revenue by leading digital platform Boomplay.

In a letter addressed to the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, the duo revealed that since April 2023, they have not received any reliable accounting or revenue from Boomplay for streams of their music, despite being informed by various distributors.

According to the letter, the issue not only raises red flags about transparency and accountability but also highlights a broader concern over fair compensation for Ghanaian creatives operating within the digital space. The duo stated: “It is unjust and disheartening when musicians are denied revenue for their work, especially when they invest significant financial and creative resources to produce their art.”

While they acknowledged the role Boomplay plays in helping both emerging and established artists grow digitally, Lali X Lola emphasized that failure to meet financial obligations to rights holders constitutes exploitation. They are now calling on the Ministry to launch an investigation and strengthen regulatory oversight of digital service providers (DSPs) in Ghana’s creative economy.

“We urge your office to investigate this issue and help establish better regulatory oversight of DSPs operating within Ghana’s digital and creative economy,” the letter reads.

The artists also expressed their willingness to provide further documentation and information to aid the Ministry’s intervention. They are hopeful that with proper leadership and a commitment to digital fairness, this issue could serve as a turning point for Ghanaian musicians and creatives who depend on such platforms for their livelihood. This development comes amid growing calls across Africa for greater accountability from streaming services that profit from local content. Lali X Lola’s bold move could potentially inspire other artists facing similar challenges to speak out, while pushing policymakers to establish clearer digital revenue frameworks that protect creative rights.