The Africa Regional Director of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (Cisac), Samuel Sangwa, visited Cameroon on a working trip to discuss the challenges faced by creators in the country. On March 29, Sangwa met with Bidoung Mkpatt, the Minister of Arts and Culture, along with his closest collaborators and several artists.
Recognizing Cameroonian Cultural Heritage
During the meeting, Samuel Sangwa praised Cameroon’s exceptional cultural heritage and recognized the country’s culture as in terms of creativity, Cameroon is a locomotive in Africa. “Behind every song, every book, every film, there is a creator. The starting point is always an author. It is he who has the material that allows other industries to develop,” said Samuel Sangwa. He emphasized the importance of restoring justice in terms of revenues from intellectual works.
Identifying Challenges and Finding Solutions
Sangwa’s visit was part of a vision to consult with stakeholders in the government and private sector to identify challenges faced by creators and find solutions to improve their working conditions. He expressed concern for the precariousness of creators and stressed the need for justice in terms of revenue for their intellectual works.
The meeting was attended by Théophile Eyango, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Commission for the Control of Collective Management Organizations, and Ateh Bazore, President of the Société nationale camerounaise de l’art musical (Sonacam). Several artists were also present.
Positive Steps Towards Supporting Creators
Overall, the visit was a positive step towards supporting creators and recognizing their contributions to the cultural and economic development of Cameroon. By identifying the challenges faced by creators and working towards solutions to improve their working conditions, Sangwa’s visit showed a commitment to the advancement of the creative industries in the country.
Moving forward, it will be important to continue to support creators and ensure that they receive fair compensation for their intellectual works. By doing so, Cameroon can continue to excel in creativity on the African continent.
