On July 19, 2025, Nollywood actress and producer Mercy Johnson-Okojie took to Instagram to denounce Ghana’s Blazing TV for airing her movie The Firstborn without her permission. Expressing shock and frustration, she wrote, “Ghana, Blazing TV. How is this even ok? Blazing TV in Ghana is showing my movie, The Firstborn, on their TV without my consent. How does this even make sense? How? I am speechless at the audacity of it all.”
Johnson’s outcry adds to growing concerns about copyright infringement in Nollywood. Other industry figures, including Omoni Oboli, who previously threatened to escalate similar issues to Ghana’s president, and Bolaji Ogunmola, who warned against content theft, have voiced similar frustrations over unauthorized use of their work.
In April 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Sam George, responded to allegations raised by Nigerian filmmakers, including Bimbo Ademoye and Oboli. George assured Ademoye via social media, “I would be raising the issue with my Colleague Minister responsible for overseeing television content. I however wish to assure you that our government is very respectful of intellectual property rights and would ensure the protection of same.” He emphasized the potential for stronger collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria’s film industries for mutual benefit.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges with intellectual property enforcement in the region, as Nollywood stars continue to demand accountability for unauthorized broadcasts.
Source: African Publicity
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