Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA) has issued a stern warning to television broadcasters: stop airing content without proper authorization, or prepare to face serious consequences—including the possible revocation of broadcasting licenses.
In a strongly worded statement, the NFA said it has observed a troubling spike in the unauthorized broadcast of copyrighted films, TV series, and other creative content across both traditional and digital platforms. And they’re not just hearing complaints from local creators. International content owners have also raised the alarm about their work being illegally aired in Ghana.
“These infringements violate content creators’ rights and discourage investment and creativity in Ghana’s creative industries,” said Kafui Danku Pitcher, Executive Secretary of the NFA.
The Authority pointed to the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690), which lays out the rules clearly: broadcasting someone else’s work without permission is illegal—and it carries real legal consequences. It’s a reminder many stations appear to be ignoring, at the cost of Ghana’s creative future.
As the primary regulator of Ghana’s film and audiovisual space, the NFA said it is working in collaboration with key institutions to investigate offenders and enforce the law. Sanctions could include license suspension or complete revocation.
The message? The days of airing pirated content with impunity are over.
The NFA is now urging all broadcasters to get their houses in order by:
- Securing proper licensing agreements with content owners
- Respecting intellectual property laws
- Classifying all audiovisual content before airing
With Ghana’s creative economy poised to become a significant driver of development, employment, and global cultural influence, the Authority says it’s time to start treating creators—and their work—with the respect they deserve.
“Television stations and media platforms must license content legally, fairly compensate creators, and help build a thriving and lawful creative industry,” the NFA emphasized.
Source:TheDotNews