The Ghanaian government has announced plans to take action against television stations that broadcast Nigerian movies without obtaining the necessary rights.
James Gardiner, Deputy CEO of the Ghana National Film Authority (NFA), revealed that authorities are working on measures to curb the unauthorized airing of Nollywood films on local television.
His comments came during a conversation with Nigerian filmmaker Uchenna Mbunabo, who raised concerns about Ghanaian TV stations allegedly downloading Nollywood movies from YouTube and broadcasting them without permission.Responding to the allegations, Gardiner clarified that such practices are not legal in Ghana.
He explained that the government is collaborating with the Ministry of Communication, the National Media Commission (NMC), and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to strengthen regulations for television broadcasters.According to him, the proposed measures could require television stations to reapply for their operating licenses, with stricter enforcement against copyright violations. He expressed confidence that the process could be completed by 2027.
The issue has been a long-standing concern within the Nigerian film industry, with several Nollywood stars and filmmakers previously speaking out against the alleged unauthorized broadcast of their movies on some Ghanaian television stations. The planned crackdown is expected to help protect filmmakers’ intellectual property and ensure that content creators receive proper recognition and compensation for their work.
