Ghana’s government is preparing to take disciplinary action against television channels that show Nigerian movies without obtaining proper rights. James Gardiner, Deputy CEO of the Ghana National Film Authority, confirmed these plans during a discussion with Nigerian producer Uchenna Mbunabo.
Mbunabo brought the issue to light, alleging that various Ghanaian broadcasters are illegally downloading Nollywood content from YouTube to air for free. He questioned the legality of these actions and urged the government to intervene. Gardiner confirmed that such practices are not permitted and noted that the authorities are currently working with the Ministry of Communication, the National Media Commission, and the National Communications Authority to address the copyright violations.
The proposed strategy involves revoking the licenses of these stations and requiring them to reapply for authorization under stricter regulations. Gardiner indicated that these measures are expected to be implemented by 2027. This development follows recurring complaints from prominent Nigerian actors such as Bimbo Ademoye, Omoni Oboli, Mercy Johnson, and Ruth Kadiri, who have consistently condemned the unauthorized use of their work by Ghanaian media outlets.
