Cameroon new copyright body installed

  1. Posted on Tuesday 10 June 2008 - 08:24
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    Solomon Tombang, AfricaNews reporter in Limbe, Cameroon
    A new corporation to take care of the copyright of Cameroonian musicians has been formed.The structure known as Société Civil Camerounaise d'Art Musical, SOCAM, was created last weekend following the dissolution of the former body, Cameroon Music Corporation, CMC.
    manu_dibango
    This dissolution of CMC by the Minister of Culture, Ama Tutu Muna came on the heels of wangling within the corporation when musician, Sam Mbende, organised a controversial general assembly during which he was re-elected. The Minister cancelled the election and dissolved CMC.

    Meanwhile, female pastor and gospel singer, Odile Ngaska was elected over the weekend to head the new copyright corporation.

    She defeated major challenger Romeo Dika by 149 votes against 129, to clinch the ticket as president of the board of administrators, during the second round of voting in a hotly contested election that dragged until breaking Sunday.

    Odile Ngaska who was runner-up in the first round, behind Dika, climbed to victory in the second round of voting, thanks to a coalition with previous challengers, Elvis Kemayo and Mama Ondja.

    Romeo Dika who emerged victorious after the first round of vote failed to have an absolute majority of the votes cast. He led the vote with 112 votes while runner-up Odile Ngaska totaled 82. The three other contenders, Elvis Kemayo, Mama Ondja and Rachel Tsoungui had 68, 29 and 9 votes respectively.

    Odile Ngaska will be assisted in her duties by her vice president, Adeline Mbenkum, another choral singer, and 13 other members on her list who form the board of administrators.

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