(L-R): Xandy Kamel, Bimbo Ademoye and Ruth Kadiri have all complained about piracy
Lately, the trend of some Ghanaian TV stations airing movies without permission have become a major ‘headache’ for filmmakers in both Ghana and Nigeria.
Notable filmmakers have called out these Ghanaian TV stations for airing their movies without permission, sometimes just hours after the films are released.
Names like Ruth Kadiri, Bimbo Ademoye, Omoni Oboli, Mercy Johnson, Salma Mumin, Xandy Kamel, and Nosa Rex have all expressed their frustrations on social media.
However, in the midst of these concerns, what could be done to salvage the situation?
Xandy Kamel tearfully calls out TV station for pirating her movie two days after release
What the law says about copyright
Ghana’s Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), indicates that it is a crime to broadcast someone’s work without permission.
This law covers movies, TV shows, documentaries, and even sports programs.
It mentioned that anyone who breaks the law could be fined, imprisoned, or both.
On paper, this law is expected to protect filmmakers but the reality is, piracy continues because the laws are not enforced.
The authorities in charge often issue warnings, but there’s little to no proof that actions are being taken.
Three popular Nigerian filmmakers who have called out Ghanaian TV stations for piracy
Warnings without results
When piracy cases began making headlines earlier this year, the National Anti-Piracy Committee of the Copyright Office of Ghana issued a press statement on June 11, 2025.
The press statement which was signed by William Bonsu, warned TV stations against airing copyrighted works without proper licenses.
The National Anti-Piracy Committee said it had intensified surveillance and was working with law enforcement to stop the illegal practice.
But even after these warning, filmmakers kept complaining about the issue of piracy.
Responses from authorities
Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam George, promised to take action in April 2025 after Nigerian actress Bimbo Ademoye complained that her film was pirated and tagged the minister on social media.
Sam George said he would discuss the matter with the minister responsible for TV content regulation and assured that his government respected intellectual property rights.
The Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku, also promised to take action, telling filmmakers they would “see definite actions in a couple of weeks.”
But months later, the piracy complaints kept coming, this time from Mercy Johnson, Xandy Kamel, and Nosa Rex.
On August 1, 2025, Sam George spoke about the issue again at the Government Accountability Series when asked about it again by a journalist from Citi FM, saying the government had met with the National Film Authority and the National Media Commission to develop a framework for protecting intellectual property rights.
When will movie piracy stop?
Piracy takes away revenue from these filmmakers, scares off investors, and holds back the growth of the movie industry.
The laws on copyright may look strong on paper, but enforcement has been slow, and promises from officials have not led to change.
The major question is: how long will it take before Ghanaian TV stations stop airing pirated movies?
Until serious action is taken, like prosecuting offenders and making an example of them, the repeated violations are likely to keep happening.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
AK/EB
