Kwabena Kwabena made a surprising revelation on Hitz FM’s DaybreakHitz, claiming that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) used his song “Vote Number 1” without his authorization during their 2024 election campaign.
Originally released in 2016, the song has become a point of contention. The Asor-hitmaker argues that the NPP’s use of his music constitutes a clear violation of his intellectual property rights.
“After they picked the number one position, they decided to use the old song for their campaign and they contacted the team about it and they started the conversation.
A conversation began and before I realized, it’s been edited and it’s being played on radio… They picked a section of the song which they needed without my approval,” he said.
In the music industry, intellectual property rights are safeguarded by copyright laws, which grant creators exclusive control over their work. This includes the right to reproduce, distribute, and display the work, as well as create derivative works. By using Kwabena Kwabena’s song without his approval, the NPP may have violated these rights, potentially opening themselves up to legal repercussions.
Kwabena Kwabena’s decision to speak out against the NPP’s actions highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the creative industry. As the Ghanaian music scene continues to grow and gain international recognition, it is essential that artists and creators are able to safeguard their work and receive fair compensation for its use.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about intellectual property rights and the responsibility of political parties to respect the creative work of others. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the NPP will respond to Kwabena Kwabena’s allegations and whether the musician will pursue legal action against the party.
