Makola Trader Sues Telecel For GH¢2M For Using Her Picture Without Permission

A significant legal battle is unfolding at Ghana’s High Court as Faustina Djagbele Abbey, a well-known onion seller near Accra’s Makola Market, sues telecom giant Telecel Ghana for GH¢2 million in damages. The company, managed by Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, is accused of using her image without consent in a commercial advertisement.

At the heart of the lawsuit is Abbey’s claim that her likeness was used to promote Telecel’s ‘Red Save’ product across various platforms, including social media, without her knowledge, permission, or compensation.

According to court filings submitted on May 23, 2025, by her lawyer Bernard Owiredu Donkor of Thompson Law Consult, the unauthorized use of her image constitutes a violation of her privacy, dignity, and fundamental human rights.

The writ states that Abbey was neither approached nor informed prior to the image’s wide circulation online, where it was viewed by thousands if not millions of users. Her legal team argues that the misuse has not only infringed on her image rights but also exposed her to unwelcome public attention and scrutiny.

Abbey is seeking compensation for emotional distress and reputational harm caused by the incident. Her suit highlights broader concerns about the use of ordinary individuals in corporate advertising without consent a practice increasingly common in the digital age.

Legal experts and civil society groups are watching the case closely, as it could set a precedent for privacy rights and ethical standards in advertising and digital media in Ghana.

The case is expected to test the boundaries of Ghana’s privacy laws and potentially influence future advertising practices in the country.

Makola onion seller sues Telecel for GH¢2 million for using her picture without her consent

Here’s a roundup of everything that’s happened so far.

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Source: Nkonkonsa.com