Ghana's NFA battles digital piracy as Nollywood demands copyright crackdown

The National Film Authority (NFA) is under pressure to strengthen copyright enforcement after Nigerian filmmaker Uchenna Mbunabo raised concerns about Ghanaian television stations downloading and airing Nollywood films without authorisation. The complaint highlights a growing tension between West African creative industries and the challenges of regulating digital broadcasting in an increasingly decentralised media landscape.

Mbunabo's grievance centres on what he describes as a systematic practice: Ghanaian TV stations downloading newly released Nigerian films directly from YouTube and broadcasting them free-to-air, effectively robbing producers of legitimate revenue streams. He questioned the legality of such practices and challenged the NFA to explain why Ghanaian broadcasters engage in conduct that Nigerian stations do not, painting the issue as a double standard that undermines regional creative partnerships.

NFA acknowledges the problem, proposes new enforcement framework

James Gardiner, Deputy CEO of the National Film Authority, acknowledged that the piracy issue is real and confirmed the NFA has begun coordinating with key stakeholders to address it. The authority has already engaged the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) to explore solutions.

The core challenge, Gardiner explained, is that Ghana's existing copyright laws lack effective enforcement mechanisms. Many television stations have migrated to digital-only operations and no longer maintain physical offices within Ghana, making them difficult to regulate. Some Ghanaian-branded channels operate from overseas locations such as Austria, exploiting the borderless nature of digital broadcasting to evade local oversight.

To address this, the NFA is developing a new licensing framework that would require all broadcasters to undergo fresh licensing and comply with stricter monitoring standards. Under the proposed regime, stations found guilty of unauthorised copyright infringement would face financial penalties, with escalating sanctions for repeat offenders: suspension of broadcasting licences for a second violation and potential revocation for a third.

Why it matters for Ghana

This dispute raises important questions about Ghana's position within the West African creative economy and the effectiveness of its regulatory infrastructure. Ghana's film industry—Ghallywood—has grown substantially and increasingly competes with Nollywood for audiences and investment across the region. However, if Ghanaian broadcasters are perceived as undermining the intellectual property rights of their neighbours, it could damage bilateral creative partnerships and Ghana's reputation as a respectful player in regional entertainment markets.

Beyond Nollywood relations, the piracy issue reflects a broader governance challenge: how to regulate digital media in an era when traditional licensing and physical oversight mechanisms have become obsolete. The NFA's proposed reforms suggest the authority recognises this shift, but implementation will be critical. Without effective digital licensing and monitoring, the framework risks becoming another well-intentioned policy without teeth.

For Ghanaian producers and platforms like local YouTube creators, the flip side is also relevant. Strengthening copyright enforcement benefits not just foreign producers but domestic creators who face similar piracy challenges. A robust framework could establish Ghana as a country that takes intellectual property seriously—a signal that benefits its own creative sector.

Mbunabo made clear his comments were not anti-Ghana, noting he has collaborated with Ghanaian actors and supports Nollywood-Ghallywood partnerships. His intervention should be read as a call to level the playing field rather than a rejection of regional collaboration. The NFA has indicated reforms are underway, though no specific timeline has been announced. Progress in the coming year will signal whether Ghana's regulatory institutions can adapt to the digital age.