Akofa Banson appointed as StarTimes Ghana general manager.

by Thinus Ferreira

China's StarTimes pay-TV operator has appointed Akofa Banson as StarTimes Ghana general manager from April 2022, replacing Felix Ahonzo who exited as StarTimes Ghana chief operating officer (COO) after 5 years.

Akofa Banson joined StarTimes Ghana in 2016 as head of marketing and has served in this position the past six years, with over 20 years working in Ghana's media marketing, advertising, content acquisition and film production industry.

Akofa started her career in 1999 as a marketing officer with TV3 Network Ltd. and became general manager at Alpha Limousine. She joined StarTimes from African Broadcast Network where she was the marketing manager for five years and then general manager for four years.

"We are extremely excited to have someone with her experience to lead our team on an exciting new growth path, we believe she will add significant value in achieving our vision and objectives," says Maxwell Techie, StarTimes Ghana chairperson.

StarTimes Ghana warns broadcasters, public over illegal piracy of Ghana Premier League matches.

China's StarTimes in Ghana is warning broadcasters and the public in the West African country over illegal broadcasting piracy of Ghana Premier League matches, saying broadcasters are not allowed to steal and rebroadcast matches, that rebroadcasting on social media is illegal, and that even radio commentary of matches are not allowed either.

"'StarTimes is by this communique calling on all media houses to desist from broadcasting the Ghana Premier League matches without the requisite license," says Akofa Djankui, StarTimes Ghana head of marketing in a press statement.

''As the official broadcaster of the Ghana Premier League and other GFA products, we hold the exclusive rights to the airing of the content live on radio, television and online streaming."

"'StarTimes is aware that a number of media houses run commentary on radio and use unauthorized viewing systems (websites/Facebook) to stream the matches live. 'This practice of airing matches without any license from the official broadcaster infringes on the broadcaster's right."

''StarTimes together with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will take strong and active measures towards the enforcement of our copyright and will pursue criminal and civil actions against any media house and journalist who supply unauthorized footage and audio commentary from the various matches.''