Iyabo Ojo fumes as Ghana TV pirates new movie within 24 hours

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has accused a Ghanaian television station of airing her newly released movie, “The Memory of You Part 2,” without permission less than 24 hours after it premiered on YouTube.

Ojo made the allegation in a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, identifying the station as North East TV in Ghana.

The actress said she woke up to discover that the station was already broadcasting the movie despite having no agreement or authorisation from her.

“I found out that there’s this TV station called North East TV in Ghana already showing my movie on their TV channel. I don’t understand. I didn’t give you permission. I don’t know you,” she said.

Ojo described the alleged unauthorised broadcast as unfair and damaging to filmmakers who depend on revenue from their productions to recover costs.

“You just took my movie that I posted on my YouTube channel, not even up to 24 hours, and put it on your TV for people to watch for free while you make money. How do we make our money back?” she queried.

The actress called on the Ghana National Film Authority, government officials and President John Mahama to intervene and address the alleged piracy.

“Ghana National Film Authority, the minister in Ghana, the Ghanaian President himself, please look into this because it is very unfair that we Nigerians work so hard to produce our movies and some people sit in their corner transmitting them on local TV,” Ojo said.

She explained that producing a movie involved substantial financial commitments, including payments to actors and expenses for locations, accommodation, costumes and equipment.

According to her, broadcasting such productions without the filmmaker’s consent deprives producers of income and threatens their livelihood.

Ojo’s complaint attracted reactions from several Nollywood actors who claimed they had faced similar experiences.

Actress Destiny Etiko said alleged piracy of Nigerian movies by television stations had become persistent.

“That’s what they do to all our movies o. I have complained so much and am tired,” Etiko wrote.

Bimbo Ademoye also reacted, alleging that filmmakers who complained about such incidents were sometimes accused of seeking publicity.