Omanghana
Several prominent Nigerian filmmakers and actors have intensified their campaign against television stations in Ghana accused of broadcasting Nollywood movies without authorization.
The controversy began after producers reportedly discovered that some free-to-air stations were downloading newly released movies from YouTube and airing them without obtaining permission, purchasing broadcasting rights or paying royalties.
Nigerian filmmaker Uchenna Mbunabo became one of the leading voices in the campaign after publicly confronting the alleged unauthorized use of Nollywood productions in Ghana.
Mbunabo questioned how television stations could download content created through the labour and financial investment of filmmakers and broadcast it freely without facing immediate consequences.
The dispute gained further attention after actress and producer Iyabo Ojo accused North East TV of broadcasting her film, The Memory of You (Part 2), less than 24 hours after its online premiere.
Ojo condemned the alleged infringement and demanded stronger action to protect filmmakers whose productions depend on legitimate digital views, licensing agreements and advertising revenue.
Actress Bimbo Ademoye also issued a warning to television stations involved in the practice. In a video statement, she said she was prepared to “battle” any broadcaster that aired her work without authorization.
Ademoye made it clear that she was not interested in negotiating revenue-sharing arrangements after a violation had occurred. She demanded that stations completely stop downloading and broadcasting her films without prior approval.
Actor Nosa Rex joined the campaign after alleging that his movie, Prince of Peace, had been downloaded and shown on Ghanaian television only hours after its official release.
Other leading Nollywood personalities, including Omoni Oboli, Ruth Kadiri and Mercy Johnson, have expressed support for the campaign. They are calling for coordinated protections for creative works across the West African entertainment industry.
For independent filmmakers, unauthorized television broadcasts can significantly reduce income from YouTube views, advertising, licensing and distribution agreements. Producers argue that the practice also discourages investment in an industry where creators often finance projects themselves.
Ghana’s National Film Authority has intervened amid the growing tension between Nigerian content producers and the accused broadcasters.
NFA Deputy Chief Executive Officer James Gardiner confirmed that airing films without the consent of copyright holders is illegal. He said the authority was working with other state institutions to identify stations suspected of violating intellectual property rights.
The NFA is collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, the National Media Commission and the National Communications Authority as part of the regulatory response.
Authorities are expected to examine broadcast records, licensing arrangements and complaints submitted by rights holders before determining possible sanctions against offending stations.
The government has also warned that television broadcasting licences could be reviewed and reissued by 2027 under stricter compliance requirements. Stations found to have repeatedly violated copyright laws could risk losing their authorization to operate.
The dispute has renewed calls for closer cooperation between Ghanaian and Nigerian film industry organizations. Stakeholders say a regional monitoring and licensing framework could make it easier to report violations, verify ownership and secure compensation for creators.
Nollywood filmmakers are meanwhile urging television stations to negotiate directly with producers or authorized distributors before broadcasting their work.
The campaigners insist that their action is not directed against Ghana’s entertainment industry but against unauthorized commercial use of creative content. They say broadcasters must respect copyright protections and compensate filmmakers whose productions attract audiences and advertising revenue.
Source: Omanghana
