Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA) has announced plans to crack down on television stations that broadcast Nigerian movies without authorisation.
James Gardiner, Ghanaian actor and deputy executive secretary of the NFA, announced the development in response to complaints from Nollywood producer Uchenna Mbunabo.
The filmmaker had accused Ghanaian TV stations of downloading Nollywood films from YouTube and airing them for free.
“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?” Mbunabo asked.
Gardiner acknowledged that copyright infringement is a persistent problem but assured that the NFA is collaborating with the ministry of communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA), and the National Media Commission (NMC) to strengthen enforcement.
He noted that enforcement is complicated by the rise of digital stations, some of which operate from abroad without physical offices in Ghana.
He said the NFA is considering revoking all existing licenses and requiring broadcasters to reapply under stricter terms.
