Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has taken to social media to criticise a Ghanaian television station for airing her new movie, The Memory of You Part 2, without her permission.
The movie premiered on YouTube less than 24 hours ago. In response, the filmmaker said on her verified Instagram account that North East TV in Ghana aired her movie without permission. She condemned the act, calling it unfair and harmful to filmmakers.
She explained that the Ghanaian TV station broadcast her movie soon after she released it on her YouTube channel.
“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.
According to the mother of two, piracy deprives filmmakers of earning the money they need to cover production costs.
“You just took the 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.
She further called on Ghanaian authorities, including the Ghana National Film Authority and the country’s leaders, to step in and address the issue, adding that filmmakers spend a lot on production, such as paying actors, finding locations, arranging accommodation, and getting costumes and equipment.
“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,” she said.