Renowned Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso has sounded the alarm on the growing threat of piracy and copyright infringement, which she says is choking the life out of the country’s creative industry.
In a candid interview at the premiere of her debut stage play, Honeymoon Hotel, held at the National Theatre on June 20, 2025, Shirley expressed deep concern over the persistent exploitation of creative works without proper authorisation or compensation.
“Piracy is absolutely devastating,” she said. “You pour your heart and soul into a project for months, sometimes years, and the moment it’s released, it’s stolen. It doesn’t just take your work — it takes your motivation, your dreams, your future.”
Frimpong-Manso stressed that piracy is more than just an economic loss; it poses a serious threat to the entire ecosystem of the creative industry, stifling innovation, discouraging emerging talents, and cutting off potential job opportunities.
While acknowledging the progress Ghanaian filmmakers have made, she believes the industry’s future hinges on one vital need — the robust protection of intellectual property.
“We’ve talked about this for too long. It’s time for decisive, enforceable action. Protecting our creative works should be a national priority,” she urged.
She also called on the public to rethink their consumption habits, pointing out that the choice to support pirated content undermines the hard work of countless artists, technicians, and creatives.
“Every pirated film or series someone watches doesn’t just harm the filmmaker — it affects the entire community behind it. If we want a thriving industry, we must start by respecting and valuing our own stories,” she said.
Ending on a hopeful note, Frimpong-Manso encouraged Ghanaians to champion their local creatives with the same passion they show for foreign productions.