Juliet Ibrahim Condemns Piracy by Ghanaian TV Stations, Calls for Industry-Wide Reform
Celebrated Ghanaian-Nollywood actress and filmmaker Juliet Ibrahim has joined a growing list of film industry professionals condemning the unauthorized airing of movies by television stations in Ghana. The issue of media piracy in the region has come under renewed scrutiny following a series of high-profile complaints by filmmakers across West Africa.
The conversation reignited in March when Nigerian actress Omoni Oboli publicly accused some Ghanaian broadcasters of airing her films without securing proper licensing. Shortly after, fellow actress Bimbo Ademoye expressed outrage after a TV station not only aired her film without permission but also allegedly copied her movie title and promotional artwork.
Now, Juliet Ibrahim has added her voice to the protest, sharing her personal experience with copyright violations in a detailed post on Instagram. The actress, known for her contributions to both Ghanaian and Nigerian cinema, described the situation as a persistent challenge that continues despite repeated efforts to stop it.
“As an independent filmmaker, actress, director, and producer, I find it extremely disheartening to witness the blatant disregard for intellectual property rights by several TV stations operating within Ghana,” Ibrahim wrote.
She revealed that several of her films, which are legally uploaded to her official YouTube channel, Juliet Ibrahim Studios, have been unlawfully downloaded, rebroadcast, and exploited by unauthorised stations, including Pemsan TV.
“Over the past few months, I’ve observed that some of my films originally and legally uploaded to my official YouTube channel have been pirated, rebroadcast, and exploited by unauthorised Ghanaian television stations, including Pemsan TV, without my permission or that of my team,” she stated.
Despite formal actions taken by her management and legal teams—including cease and desist letters and direct communication attempts—the offending stations reportedly continued their unauthorised broadcasts.
“Despite repeated efforts by my management and legal representatives, who have sent cease and desist letters, contacted these networks directly, and offered an opportunity for a formal resolution, Pemsan TV and others have continued to air my work unlawfully, ignoring our calls and refusing to do the needful,” she added.
Ibrahim also expressed her support for Omoni Oboli and Bimbo Ademoye, emphasizing that the problem transcends national boundaries and reflects a broader crisis within the African media landscape.
“This isn’t just happening to me. I stand in full support of my Nigerian colleagues, Omoni Oboli and Bimbo Ademoye, who are also speaking up against the piracy of their creative works. This is not just 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.”
Juliet Ibrahim’s statement has further amplified calls within the creative industry for stricter enforcement of copyright laws and increased accountability among broadcasters. Many are now urging for collaborative action between content creators, legal experts, and government bodies to tackle piracy and protect the livelihoods of filmmakers across Africa.
