The National Theatre of Ghana has been alerted to a potential copyright infringement concerning an upcoming play scheduled to be staged at the venue.
In a letter dated May 28, 2024, and seen by myjoyonline.com, George Apraku Dentu claims that “The Legend of Aku Sika,” set to be performed at the National Theatre on June 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th, 2024, is originally the creation of his father, L.D. Apraku.
“This is a dramatization of the novel Aku Sika written by the late L.D. Apraku,” the letter states.
He further states that the producers of the play, ImageBureau and April Communication, did not seek his permission.
“…there has not been any contact of the performing group with the copyright owners of the novel ‘Aku Sika’,” he writes.
Speaking to myjoyonline.com, Dentu mentioned the possibility that ‘The Legend of Aku Sika,’ written by Professor Martin Owusu, was 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.
Asked if he had read Professor Martin Owusu’s version to ascertain if it bears any similarities with his father’s, he said “no, I haven’t read it. That is why I said ‘possible infringement’.”
Meanwhile, George Quaye, the Team Lead for Image Bureau, clarified that Professor Martin Owusu based the story on a folktale, indicating that George Apraku Dentu’s father is not the original creator of the story.
‘The Legend of Aku Sika’ will be performed at the National Theatre on June 1, 2, 8, and 9, 2024, in honor of the author, Professor Martin Owusu, a lecturer at the University of Ghana who has influenced generations of actors and theatre art professionals.
The play features actors such as Mawuli Semevor, Edinam Atatsi, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, Roland Adom, Elvis Crystal, Adomaa, among others.