Telecel Ghana Responds to GH¢2 Million Lawsuit by Makola Market Trader Over Image Use

• Telecel Ghana has responded to the lawsuit filed by Makola Market trader Faustina Djagbele Abbey
• The telecommunications company has said it is assessing the basis of the claim of breach of privacy in the lawsuit
• Abbey said Telecel Ghana did not seek her consent and used her image without her knowledge

Telecel Ghana has acknowledged the lawsuit filed by Makola Market trader Faustina Djagbele Abbey over the alleged unauthorised use of her image by the company.

Her photo was used in Telecel’s Red Save campaign. The telco has said it is assessing the basis of the claim.

In a press statement on June 19, the telco said it is assessing the basis of the lawsuit.

"Telecel Ghana has become aware of media reports of a legal claim filed by Madam Faustina Djagbele Abbey alleging the use of her photograph without her consent in relation to our Telecel Red Save product campaign."

"We are currently reviewing the details of this claim to establish the facts. We wish to assure the public that we take matters of privacy, imagery consent and intellectual property seriously."

About the lawsuit against Telecel

In her statement of claim, Abbey argued that the use of her image by Telecel in their product marketing drive was brought to her attention by some of her customers.

She also said that the advertisement has brought her some publicity, with family members deeming her to be of financial means.

This, she says, has strained relationships with others and impacted her mental health.

Article 18 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to privacy of citizens.

It says "no person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, correspondence or communication except by law and as may be necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the protection of health or morals, for the prevention of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights or freedoms of others."

CAF yet to pay $250k after losing copyright case

YEN.com.gh reported that Music producer Kwabena Ofei-Kwadey Nkrumah is yet to be paid the $250,000 award due him from CAF after winning his intellectual property rights case against the football governing body.

He was awarded damages of Ghana cedi equivalent of $250,000 and legal costs of GH¢40,000 against CAF in July 2024. CAF has not offered any explanations for the delay.

CAF was found guilty of failing to obtain legal permission before using Nkrumah's music in promos for the 2018 CAF awards.

Source: YEN.com.gh