(James Gardiner. Photo by Modern Ghana)
The Ghanaian government has signalled its intention to crack down on television stations found airing Nigerian films without proper authorisation.
James Gardiner, Deputy CEO of the Ghana National Film Authority, NFA, disclosed the country’s plans during a recorded exchange with Nigerian film producer, Uchenna Mbunabo.
Mbunabo had confronted Gardiner over what he described as Ghanaian stations lifting Nollywood content from YouTube and broadcasting it free of charge without permission, questioning whether such practices were legal in Ghana. Gardiner acknowledged that the practice was not legal.
Pressed further on what the government was doing about it, Gardiner explained that the authority had already engaged the Ministry of Communication, alongside the National Media Commission and National Communications Authority, which regulate television stations in the country, with plans underway to introduce legislation that would revoke all existing licences and require stations to reapply from scratch.
Asked for a timeline, he said the process should be completed by 2027.
Several Nigerian filmmakers, including Bimbo Ademoye, Omoni Oboli, Mercy Johnson and Ruth Kadiri, have previously raised similar complaints, accusing Ghanaian television stations of illegally airing their films.