Lali X Lola Call for Bilateral Tax Treaties to Protect Ghanaian Artistes’ Royalties

Christabel Newman
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Lali X Lola Call for Bilateral Tax Treaties to Protect Ghanaian Artistes’ Royalties
LaliXLola
WRITTEN BY WALTER SENA 


Ghanaian music duo Lali X Lola have formally submitted a request to the Minister of Finance and Parliament, urging the government to negotiate bilateral tax treaties that would enable Ghana to recover withheld international royalties and strengthen the nation’s creative economy.

According to the duo, up to 30 per cent of royalties earned by Ghanaian musicians, producers, and publishers are withheld overseas due to international tax arrangements. These withheld funds, they argue, could play a crucial role in revitalising Ghana’s creative sector if successfully recovered.

“This isn’t just about music, it’s about respecting creative labour and reinvesting recovered funds into our industry to support infrastructure and artiste welfare,” their statement noted.

The call follows sustained advocacy by Lali X Lola to highlight the financial barriers faced by Ghanaian artistes in the digital economy. On 19th May 2025, the duo presented a petition to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation (MoCDTI), raising concerns about the non-payment of streaming revenue. This was followed by a meeting chaired by Hon. Sam George on 1st September 2025, where the Minister requested further research and evidence-based policy proposals.

Subsequently, on 15th September 2025, Lali X Lola submitted a detailed report titled Optimisation of Musicians’ Revenue in Ghana and Building a Digital Framework that Protects Artistes and Their Works to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. The findings revealed that Ghanaian artistes lose substantial income each year to international withholding taxes imposed on their earnings, with many funds remaining inaccessible to both the artists and the state.

The duo are calling for swift government action to recover these royalties and reinvest them into Ghana’s creative ecosystem. “We pray that all interested parties would add their voice and support to this cause,” they added

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