Telecel faces lawsuit over alleged unauthorized use of woman’s photo
Telecel Ghana has confirmed it is reviewing a lawsuit filed by Madam Faustina Djagbele Abbey, who alleges her image was used without permission in a digital campaign for the telecom provider’s ‘Telecel Red Save’ product.
In statement, the company acknowledged the claims and assured the public that it treats issues concerning privacy, image rights, and intellectual property with the utmost seriousness.
“We are currently reviewing the details of this claim to establish the facts. We appreciate the public’s understanding as this process runs its course,” Telecel noted.
The legal action, filed on May 23, 2025, by counsel for the woman, Bernard Owiredu Donkor of Thompson Law Consult, accuses Telecel Ghana of using her image on multiple promotional platforms, including social media and digital marketing materials, without her knowledge, consent, or authorization.
According to the statement of claim, the unauthorized use of her likeness violated her constitutional right to privacy, infringed on her personal liberties, and amounted to abuse of her image rights under Ghanaian law.
Madam Abbey contends that the public exposure of her image as part of a financial product campaign led friends, family, and customers to falsely assume she had received significant financial benefits or was suddenly wealthy. She claims this perception strained her personal relationships, subjected her to unwelcome attention, and negatively affected her mental health.
“The unapproved use of my image gave the impression I had come into wealth I did not possess. It has created confusion and discomfort in my social circles,” she said through her legal counsel.
The case has renewed calls for greater accountability in corporate advertising practices, especially regarding image consent. Legal experts say the lawsuit highlights a growing gap in how companies handle personal data and visual content in a rapidly digitizing world.
Under Ghanaian law, image rights are protected as part of the broader right to human dignity and privacy, enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
The Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) also outlines provisions for lawful processing of personal information, including visual identifiers.
It remains unclear whether Telecel Ghana will seek an out-of-court settlement or contest the claims in full.
