The National Film Authority (NFA) has issued a directive to all television channels in Ghana, requiring them to seek permission from copyright owners before broadcasting any films on their platforms.

This move comes after the NFA received numerous complaints from global film distributors about the unauthorised broadcasting of movies by some terrestrial channels and media houses in Ghana.

In a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority (NFA), Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante, said: “All terrestrial channel owners or media houses conduct assessments of all movies or films currently being broadcasted or aired on their respective channels and verifications carried out to ensure that requisite authorisations to broadcast particular movies or films have been obtained from the creators/copyright owners concerned.”

The statement indicated extensively that where the assessment reveals the absence of the requisite authorisation to broadcast a particular movie or film, terrestrial channel owners or media houses concerned are required to immediately cease broadcasting/airing the said movie or film until the requisite authorisation is obtained.

The National Film Authority is a government agency mandated to enforce the legal framework for the production, regulation, nurturing and development of the Ghanaian film industry, and for the distribution, exhibition and marketing of films and related matters.

It was set up by the Government of Ghana under the Development and Classification of Film Act 935 to regulate and streamline the ecosystem of film in Ghana.

Read the full statement below