Mr Leo, Daphne & Other Urban artist air out their grievances to the Minister of Arts & Culture regarding newly adopted bill

We just learnt that, on Wednesday 12 August 2020, Mr Leo, Daphne, Salatiel and other top urban music artists and stakeholders in Cameroon, were granted audience by the Minister of Arts and Culture; HE Bidoung Pkwatt.

The Urban music artists and stakeholders had paid a visit to the Minister of Arts and Culture to give their reactions to the new law governing arts and cultural association recently adopted by National Assembly.

As a reminder, in June, 2020, two bills related to Cultural and Artistic Associations in Cameroon were submitted to the National Assembly and both bills were subsequently adopted during the June 2020 plenary session and later forwarded to the upper house of parliament (Senate House) for a second scrutiny.

At the Senate House, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji and his counter of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Mpkatt each defended their respective bills during successive plenary sessions chaired by Senate President Marcel Niat Njifenji.

When defending the bill to regulate Artistic and Cultural Associations at the upper house of parliament, Minister of Arts and Culture, Bidoung Mpkatt told senators that the bill will organise such associations under Companies at the sub divisional level, Unions at the Division, Guilds at the region and Federation at National level.

He added that the Federation can affiliate with international entities after approval by the Ministry of Arts and Culture. He further explained that only one federation will be authorised in every artistic and cultural sector to supervise the companies, unions and guilds affiliated to it.

At the end of clarification given to Senators, the bill to regulate Artistic and Cultural Associations was adopted.

After the aforementioned bill was adopted, so many music artists and stakeholders of the Cameroon music industry took to their social media platforms to express their dissatisfaction with the new bill adopted by the parliament.

Many artists were of the opinion that the Minister of Arts and Culture, HE Bidoung Pkwatt, was suppose to consult or sample the opinion of music artists before submitting the bill to the parliament since the objective of the bill is to improve on the conditions of music artists in Cameroon.

During the audience with the Minister of Arts and Culture (on Wednesday 12 August 2020) Mr Leo, Daphne and other top urban music artists and stakeholders in Cameroon, had the opportunity to air out their dissatisfaction with the newly adopted bill.

The artists began by expressing their appreciation to the government for the gracious effort put into the formulation and assisting of the law, especially as there was currently no dedicated instrument regulating the important sector – but they also noted that there are some areas for improvement that need to be urgently addressed.

These are some of the issues raised by the artists during the exchange:

They said…

1. That there was a lack of proper consultation with younger artist during the development of the bill

2. That more clarification is needed on certain provision of the law such as that requiring artists to have approval before undertaking international travel for shows, bearing in mind that if that were the case, it will negatively impact the careers of many artists who depend on frequent international shows, often at short notice.

3. Putting young people at the centre of the application of the new law, so that they state can use their dynamism, energy and expertise in the new digital economy, to carry the industry forward in a manner the protects the interests of the older generation of legends and lays a foundation for the upcoming artists;

Besides this, other salient issues were raised by the stakeholders as issues that need urgent attention in order to improve the financial stature of the industry:

1. The diligent implementation of the 2003 Law that dictates a quota of 60% local content across all media in Cameroon, and a further imposition of a quota of at least 80% local content across all media in Cameroon, consistent with the example of big industries that have used this 80% quota system to grow their industries exponentially and contribute greatly to national GDP;

2. The financial remuneration of local artists is very low compared to the remuneration received by foreign artists for performances in Cameroon; However, local artists have put in a lot of work to develop the performance sector and deserve better treatment;

3. Finally, the mandatory recognition of local musicians by corporate bodies for endorsement deals and shows – put simply, using and properly remunerating Cameroonian icons to market products in Cameroon, as opposed to using foreign faces and sending our money overseas. In addition, ensuring the corporate social responsibility of companies is put into effect to improve the music sector.

After airing their grievances to the minister of Arts and Culture regarding the new law, the artists presented a signed letter addressed to the President of the Republic, H. E President Paul Biya, containing these issues. They also resolved internally to continue a consultation process with the Ministry, ensuring that more artists and stakeholders are invited to join the process, which will culminate in the submission to the Minister of Arts and Culture of a more detailed proposal for application texts and refinement of the law.

The Artists and stakeholders present at the audience:

Mr Leo

Magasco

Dynastie le Tigre

Duc Z

Chi Chi Ladislav

Daphne

Wax Dey

Salatiel

Dj Bilick

Pearl Louma

Click on the link below to listen to Mr Leo’s Speech during meeting with the MINAC boss Ismael Bidoung Pkwatt…

Our ears are still on the ground. We shall bring you more information as the story unfolds.

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