The Central Music Association conducted it’s major and final Musical Awareness on Wednesday the 29th September, 2021. The event took place at the Scout’s Office in Konedobu and attracted participants from all over the Central Province. In it’s continuing efforts to promote the work of Central Province Artists and Promoters, CMA has visited Sogeri, Porebada, Kwikila, Hula and Hisiu Villages with the final campaign bringing together participants from Abau and Goilala. At each campaign event, CMA has been creating awareness on Copyright, Developing Music In Your District, and how to Promote and Market Your Music. Secretary of the Department of ICT, Mr Steven Matainaho was Keynote Speaker at the final campaign event and stressed the importance of a properly executed digital footprint. “PNG currently has a total of 1.1 million users on Facebook. It’s a steep curve so we will be reaching 2million and then 4million very soon,” Mr Matainaho continued to say that based on this increased activity, the whole process of commercial music now needs to be digitized. “From registering, to marketing and collecting payments, the whole process now needs to be online, “he said. Agreeing to this, Guest Speaker and Lawyer Mr Oala Moi said that Artists first need to firmly establish ownership of their work to fully gain its rewards. “There is the commercial side of Copyright, then there is the legal side of it. So if the commercial agreement is breached, legal then takes over the case to fight for you,” Said Mr Moi. The Central Music Association is a non-profit organization officially established in March of 2020, by a group of very well known Musical Artists from Central Province who have come together to ensure that their works of art and those not properly represented, are appropriately protected. CMA Interim President Mr Allen Kedea who has been steering the campaign said it was of great importance that Central Musicians unite together and create a proper database of information. A database that CMA is currently working on to have a successful system where the Artists are supported with strategic services, are properly accorded their entitlements and their art, as well as Cultural Art, are legally protected and promoted in the correct form. “60% of music in PNG is produced by two Provinces. East New Britain Province and Central Province. CMA acknowledges this and we want to capture where the artists are from, what language they are using and how we can best protect this content,” said Mr Kedea. CMA currently has amongst it’s list of members legendary Central Music artists; Francis Aihi, Gary Vaibua, Dika Dai, Dokona Manoka, Taita Maraga, Betty Toea and Hitsy Golou. The Association will embark on the next phase of it’s work with Workshops and Trainings beginning in November 2021.