The Ghanaian government has announced plans to sanction television stations that broadcast Nigerian films without obtaining the necessary authorisation, as part of efforts to strengthen copyright enforcement in the country’s broadcasting industry.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Film Authority (NFA), James Gardiner, disclosed the move during a conversation with Nigerian filmmaker and producer, Uchenna Mbunabo.
The discussion, captured in a video circulating on social media, centred on allegations that some Ghanaian television stations routinely download Nollywood films from YouTube and air them without the permission of their producers.
Raising the issue, Mbunabo accused some broadcasters in Ghana of profiting from Nigerian filmmakers’ work without authorisation.
“I noticed that Ghanaian TV stations, the way they are stealing our films and showing them for free with impunity.
Is it legalised in your country for TV stations to go on YouTube, download people’s sweat and show it for free?” he asked.
Responding, Gardiner said such practices were not legal under Ghanaian law.
“It’s not legalised,” he replied.
When Mbunabo further questioned what the Ghanaian government was doing to address the issue, Gardiner disclosed that the authorities were already working with relevant regulators to strengthen compliance and enforce copyright laws.
“That’s one of the big things that we’re trying to address. We’ve met with the Ministry of Communication together with the National Media Commission (NMC) and the National Communications Authority (NCA). They regulate our television stations in the country,” he said.
Gardiner revealed that the government was considering a comprehensive regulatory overhaul that would require all television stations to reapply for their broadcasting licences.
“We’re trying to make a law to revoke all licences, and all of them will now come to apply afresh,” he stated.
Asked when the new regulatory framework was expected to take effect, the NFA official expressed optimism that the process would be completed next year.
“By next year (2027), it should be done,” Gardiner said.
The planned reforms come amid longstanding complaints by Nollywood producers over the unauthorised use of their films by television stations and digital platforms across parts of Africa, with filmmakers repeatedly calling for stronger cross-border enforcement of copyright laws to protect intellectual property and creative investments.