Use of Otabil’s Tape is Illegal- Lawyer Confirms

Former Lecturer at the Ghana Law School, Ace Ankomah,ha raised illegalities concerning the doctored tapes of General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church,Pastor Mensah Otabil,

In an interview with CITI FM,he said broadcasting of sermons and public pronouncement of the clergy without their express permission is an infringement of the nation’s copyright laws,stating section 76 under the definition of literary works in the constitution.

We have a Copyright Act, passed in 2005. In section 1, it mentions works eligible for copyright. It mentions literary works are eligible for copyright. If you go to section 76, it specifically mentions sermons.Section 6 of the law says that he has a right to be protected against distortions, mutilations and other modifications of his work if it is prejudicial to his reputation or the work is discredited by the act

The lawyer has called on the NDC to desist from that action since it is likely to soil religiosity with politics.He notified that there is no need using the tape of someone if the person has not given his consent to it.

The simplicity of the matter is that they are using Doc’s [Otabil's] voice without permission. He doesn’t want his voice being used like that, so we are asking them to stop it,