From L to R: Juliet Ibrahim, Martha Ankomah and Salma Mumin
Several Nigerian filmmakers, including Ruth Kadiri, Bimbo Ademoye, and Omoni Oboli, have recently called out certain Ghanaian television stations for pirating and airing their films without permission, a move that has sparked massive attention online.
In response, some Ghanaian filmmakers have stepped forward in solidarity with their Nigerian counterparts, publicly condemning the unauthorized broadcast of copyrighted content and advocating for stronger enforcement of intellectual property laws.
Their voices have added a huge weight to the growing call for accountability and reform within Ghana’s media landscape.
This article highlights three Ghanaian filmmakers who have openly spoken against the piracy of Nigerian films by local TV stations.
Juliet Ibrahim
Actress, author, and producer Juliet Ibrahim condemned the actions of the Ghanaian media houses involved in pirating Nigeria movies.
In her a post shared on her Instagram page, she expressed both outrage and deep disappointment.
“This is not a Nigerian issue; it is an African issue, and as a Ghanaian, I am ashamed that our local media houses are playing a central role in such unethical and illegal activities,” she wrote.
Juliet Ibrahim also took the opportunity to remind the public that piracy doesn’t just affect the filmmaker, but the entire ecosystem of professionals behind the scenes.
“Piracy is a crime. Exploiting someone’s hard-earned intellectual property is theft. It undermines years of investment, creativity, and the livelihoods of everyone involved in production,” she added.
She urged authorities to act swiftly and put in place regulatory measures that can protect the African film industry from further exploitation.
“Please step in immediately. We need robust action, regulation, and enforcement to protect content creators and restore the dignity of our film industry.”
Martha Ankomah
Martha Ankomah also added her voice to the growing chorus of creatives who have spoken about the piracy act.
Responding to Omoni Oboli’s Instagram post, Martha Ankomah said:
“I totally agree with you. You really have to take them on this time. They do that all the time and it’s so frustrating.”
Salma Mumin
Actress and entrepreneur Salma Mumin also spoke out against the situation.
She emphasised that filmmakers have the right to own and protect their work.
“I’m a Ghanaian actress but this is a big No! This is your intellectual property and you have every right to take immediate action. They know this is wrong!!!”
AK/EB
