Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli has expressed her frustration over the unauthorized airing of her movies by Ghanaian television stations. In a strongly worded statement on her social media platforms, Oboli accused the stations of broadcasting her films without obtaining the necessary licenses, describing the act as “unethical and illegal.”
Oboli, known for hit movies like “The First Lady” and “Wives on Strike,” called out the stations for exploiting her intellectual property and depriving her of rightful earnings. “It is disheartening to see my hard work being used without permission. These stations are airing my films without a license, and this must stop,” she wrote.
The actress also revealed that she has taken legal steps to address the issue, including sending cease-and-desist letters to the offending stations. “We are exploring all legal options to ensure that this injustice is rectified. Intellectual property theft is a serious offense, and we will not tolerate it,” she added.
Omoni Oboli’s statement has sparked a conversation about the challenges faced by African filmmakers in protecting their work. Many of her colleagues have rallied behind her, condemning the actions of the Ghanaian TV stations and calling for stricter enforcement of copyright laws.
“This is a widespread problem in our industry. Filmmakers invest time, money, and effort into their projects, only to have them stolen and monetized by others. It’s time for African governments to take this issue seriously,” said filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
The Ghanaian TV stations in question have yet to respond to Oboli’s allegations.
However, industry experts have urged them to engage in dialogue with the actress and reach a settlement to avoid legal repercussions.
As the controversy unfolds, Omoni Oboli’s bold stance has been praised by fans and industry stakeholders alike. Many see her actions as a step toward addressing the systemic issues of piracy and intellectual property theft in the African entertainment industry.