Taking to Instagram, the visibly upset actress expressed disbelief at what she described as a blatant disregard for intellectual property rights.
“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.”
Her outcry adds to a chorus of voices from Nollywood calling for urgent action against the unauthorized broadcast of Nigerian films, particularly by television stations in Ghana. Other industry figures such as Omoni Oboli, Bimbo Ademoye, and Bolaji Ogunmola have recently raised similar concerns, highlighting the damaging impact on filmmakers who invest heavily in original productions.
A Pattern of Abuse?
This is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli threatened to escalate her complaints to the highest level of Ghanaian leadership after discovering that multiple stations had broadcast her work without permission. She described the situation as “a disgrace”, demanding immediate accountability.
Similarly, actress Bolaji Ogunmola issued a firm warning to content pirates and illegal broadcasters, lamenting the financial and emotional toll such actions have taken on her career.
“I’ve had enough of people using my work without permission while I suffer the setbacks. This has to stop,” Ogunmola stated.
Ghanaian Government Responds
Amid mounting backlash, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, responded to the controversy back in April, following complaints by actress Bimbo Ademoye. In a direct reply via X (formerly Twitter), George acknowledged the issue and pledged to follow up with the minister in charge of broadcast regulation.
“@bimboademoye, I wish to assure you that our government is very respectful of intellectual property rights and would ensure the protection of same,” he wrote.
“I believe Ghana and Nigeria have so much we can continue to collaborate on for our mutual benefit.”
While the minister’s response was welcomed by many, Nigerian creatives have continued to press for visible action, including sanctions against offending stations and stronger bilateral agreements to protect African film content across borders.
Industry Implications
The unauthorized airing of The Firstborn and similar cases point to broader systemic gaps in content regulation, enforcement, and cross-border IP cooperation in Africa. With the rise of digital platforms and satellite TV networks, piracy has evolved, making it easier for unauthorized distributors to profit from others’ creative labor.
Nigerian filmmakers, who often self-fund their projects or rely on limited investment, say that content theft undermines both their economic viability and the growth of the industry as a whole.
A Call for Unity and Enforcement
While Johnson-Okojie's tone was one of frustration, the broader message from the Nollywood community is clear: intellectual property theft is unacceptable, and more must be done—both legally and diplomatically—to ensure African creatives are protected at home and abroad.
Industry watchers and fans now await the Ghanaian government’s next move, hoping it will go beyond reassurances and lead to concrete enforcement measures and improved collaborative frameworks between the Nigerian and Ghanaian entertainment sectors.