Ghana’s Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, has responded to filmmaker Bimbo Ademoye’s allegations that some television stations in Ghana have been airing her films without authorisation.
The 34-year-old had taken to Instagram to accuse several Ghanaian TV stations of copyright infringement, tagging Minister George and National Film Authority CEO Kafui Danku in her post.
Her public outcry sparked widespread online attention and prompted swift responses from the two officials.
Minister George assured her of the government’s commitment to protecting intellectual property rights, saying,
“My attention has been drawn to your post thanks to the tag.
“I would be raising the issue with my colleague minister responsible for overseeing television content.
“However, I wish to assure you that our government is very respectful of intellectual property rights and will ensure the protection of same.”
Kafui Danku also gave her assurance, writing,
“Hi ma’am, my management and I are working on putting a stop to this. You should see definite actions in a couple of weeks.”
While many social media users rallied behind Bimbo, Ghanaian media personality and plus-size advocate Miz Debbie questioned her reaction.
In a viral video, Miz Debbie suggested the unauthorised broadcasts should be seen as free publicity and not theft.
But Bimbo dismissed the comment, reposting the video with the caption “defending theft” and doubling down on her demand for accountability.
Just a day after Bimbo’s complaint, actress Omoni Oboli also called out Ghanaian TV stations for airing her newly released film Twin Deception without permission.
The 47-year-old filmmaker, whose movie premiered on YouTube last Friday, expressed disappointment that it was aired on Ghanaian television the same day.
“I love my Ghanaian besties. I really do. Ghanaians are our cousins and cousins don’t fight. We banter but at the end of the day, it’s all love,” she wrote.
“You see this issue of terrestrial Ghanaian TV stations showing our movies, it’s utterly shameful. My movie Twin Deception released on my YouTube channel on Friday was shown by TV stations same Friday! I’m going straight to the Ghanaian President this time. Cos this is now a disgrace!”
