A possible copyright infringement has been brought to the attention of the National Theatre of Ghana regarding the upcoming play, “The Legend of Aku Sika”. George Apraku Dentu, in a letter dated May 28, 2024, claims that the play is based on his father’s novel of the same name, written by the late L.D. Apraku.
“This is a dramatization of the novel Aku Sika written by the late L.D. Apraku,” the letter states. Dentu alleges that the producers, ImageBureau and April Communication, failed to seek permission from him, the copyright owner. “…there has not been any contact of the performing group with the copyright owners of the novel ‘Aku Sika’,” he writes.
In an interview with (link unavailable), Dentu suggested that the play, written by Professor Martin Owusu, may have been inspired by his father’s book. “I read online that the play which is about to be staged at the National Theatre is based on Nana Kwame Ampadu’s ‘Aku Sika’, and the song is based on the novel ‘Aku Sika’ written by my father,” he said. When asked if he had read Professor Martin Owusu’s version to determine if it bears any similarities with his father’s, he replied, “No, I haven’t read it. That is why I said ‘possible infringement’.”
However, George Quaye, Team Lead for Image Bureau, clarified that Professor Martin Owusu took the story from a folktale, meaning that George Apraku Dentu’s father is not the original owner of the story.
The play, “The Legend of Aku Sika”, will be performed at the National Theatre on June 1, 2, 8, and 9, 2024, in honor of Professor Martin Owusu, a University of Ghana lecturer who has taught generations of actors and theatre professionals. The cast includes Mawuli Semevor, Edinam Atatsi, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, Roland Adom, Elvis Crystal, Adomaa, and others.
