Ghanaians and most Africans have no respect for the intellectual properties of their fellow human beings—and we treat Copyright laws with no respect, no matter where we find ourselves.

From Ghanaian/African TV stations showing contents of others without permission to those stealing the intellectual properties of others to solely benefit from this thievery, we’ve grown to become obstacles in the world of Copyright—and mostly, championing different forms of piracy and copyright infringements.

A Popular Ghanaian owned bar in South Norwood-The Gold Coast in London has been fined more than £4,000 for showing Sky Sports illegally in its premises—a clear case of treating Copyright Laws with gross contempt.

The Gold Coast has to pay £4,600 in fines and costs following a prosecution by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).

And there was no excuse for the violation as NatKan Limited, the premises licence holder “pleaded guilty to three offences of dishonest reception of a television transmission without a commercial viewing agreement with the intent to avoid payment of the applicable charge” Croydon Advertiser reports.

Stephen Gerrard, prosecuting manager reportedly said, “This is a serious issue – licensees, employees and associated companies can each face fines of up to £5,000 for every offence they commit, or each match that they show”.

When it comes to most Africans, theft is of any moral or legal meaning to them when a tangible property is stolen—forgetting that, intellectual property thievery is of similar consequence, in law and in morality.

I bet they will call you a thief and be upset if you go and eat their food—and decide to run away without paying…But that is exactly what they are doing to SKY.