The National Anti-Piracy Committee of Ghana’s Copyright Office has delivered a sharp ultimatum to television broadcasters across the country to stop pirating content or face the full force of the law.
In a press release signed by Principal State Attorney William Bonsu, the Committee revealed a disturbing trend in which several TV stations have been illicitly downloading and airing copyrighted content, including movies, television series, documentaries, and sports broadcasts, without acquiring the proper licenses from rights holders.
“This practice constitutes a serious offense under the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), as amended,” the Committee stressed, warning that violators risk facing stiff penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both.
Apart from legal ramifications, the Committee highlighted the broader damage such actions inflict on Ghana’s creative economy. Unauthorized broadcasts deny creators their rightful earnings and violate both national copyright law and international agreements.
READ ALSO: Oheneni Adazoa Sparks Outrage With Fiery On-Air Warning To Women Who Intend To Snatch Her Husband
To avoid sanctions, the Committee strongly advised all broadcasters to:
Immediately halt the transmission of any unlicensed content
Secure formal permission or licensing from rights owners or accredited agencies
Keep transparent records of content rights and licensing deals for auditing
The Committee also announced it has ramped up monitoring and enforcement efforts in partnership with law enforcement, with a clear message: copyright violators will be prosecuted.
“The Copyright Office urges all broadcasters to respect intellectual property rights and support the growth of Ghana’s creative economy by adhering to the law,” the statement read. “By doing so, they can help promote a vibrant and sustainable creative industry that benefits all stakeholders.”
Read the statement below.
