Telecel Ghana has acknowledged reports of a lawsuit filed against them by an Onion seller.
According to Telecel Ghana, they are reviewing the details of the claims made by the woman.
Telecel, in a brief public statement, acknowledged reports of the lawsuit and assured the public that it takes “matters of privacy, imagery consent and intellectual property seriously.”
“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.”, they stated.
Madam Faustina Djagbele Abbey, the onion seller in Accra filed a $2 million lawsuit against Telecel Ghana for using her image without her consent.
The Onion seller asserted that the use of her photo has unnecessarily exposed her and she is unable to deal with the enormous publicity which has implicated her mental health.
Madam Abbey noted in her writ, “The use of my photograph without my consent has unnecessarily exposed me”.
“I am unable to deal with the enormous publicity. It has impacted heavily on my mental health.”
The lawyers of Madam Abbey filed the case at the High Court, through her legal counsel Bernard Owiredu Donkor of Thompson Law Consult.
Telecel Ghana has been accused of using her photograph without her knowledge or consent in marketing campaigns for the company’s “Telecel Red Save” product.
The Onion seller further revealed that my family members now assume she has become financially well-off, resulting in tension and discomfort in her personal life.
Her image has been used on billboards, traditional media, and social media platforms.
The onion seller is demanding 3 key reliefs from the High Court:
- A declaration that Telecel violated her privacy and personal liberties.
- A declaration that her image rights were abused through the unauthorized use of her photo.
- An order directing Telecel to pay GHC 2,000,000.00 as compensation for the alleged violations”.
Also, she wants all ads bearing her image to be pulled down.
She further claimed that Telecel’s actions were deliberate and targeted, exploiting her vulnerable position as a market trader for corporate gain.
