In a welcome development for Cameroonian artists, the Secretary-General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, has instructed the Director-General of Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV), Charles Ndongo, to transfer 850 million FCFA to a designated account at the Commercial Bank of Cameroon (CBC).
The statement dated February 26 did not specifically mention the reason for the payment, but many people believe it has something to do with unpaid royalties that CRTV owes to artists. Cameroonian artists have been expressing their frustration over the absence of payment for their work that is utilised by the state-owned broadcaster. This recent development is viewed as a possible move towards resolving these issues.
An amount of 850 million FCFA will be divided among artists whose creations have been utilised by CRTV. Yet, the specific requirements for the distribution and the number of recipients are still uncertain.
There are theories suggesting that this decision is a calculated step leading up to the 2025 presidential elections, taking into account the significant impact artists, especially those with a strong following, can have on shaping public sentiment.
For years, artists have been vocal about the government’s lack of attention. There are reports of some individuals receiving as little as 20,000 FCFA in annual royalties, while others, particularly those linked to Sonacam, do not receive any payments at all.
In 2018, a group of Cameroonian artists organised a protest at CRTV to demand payment of their royalties. The artists, who travelled from different parts of the country, observed no difference despite their hard work.
Although this is a step in the right direction, it’s important to note that the communique falls short of tackling the larger issue of reforming Cameroon’s copyright system. Advocates from the art world and professionals in the industry are pushing for a more transparent and streamlined process for collecting and distributing royalties.
