Ghanaian rap superstar Sarkodie has filed a lawsuit against Ecobank Ghana, alleging unauthorized use of a lookalike figure in a recent advertisement campaign. The legal action, filed earlier today in Accra, accuses the financial institution of exploiting his image and brand without consent — a move that has sparked public debate over celebrity likeness rights in advertising.
The ad in question, launched last week across social media and television platforms, features a man bearing a striking resemblance to Sarkodie — same signature beard, fashion sense, and even familiar rap gestures. Fans were quick to speculate if it was indeed the BET award-winner himself, but Sarkodie took to X (formerly Twitter) days ago to clarify: “That’s not me. I wasn’t contacted and I don’t endorse that ad.”
Sources close to the rapper say he was both surprised and frustrated to see a figure so closely modeled after him being used to promote financial services he has no association with. His legal team argues this is a case of misappropriation of image, which could mislead the public into believing Sarkodie has endorsed the bank’s products.
Ecobank, meanwhile, has yet to release an official statement regarding the matter. Internal sources suggest the resemblance was “pure coincidence” and that the actor hired for the commercial was not intentionally cast to mimic Sarkodie. However, social media commentary tells a different story, with fans and critics alike pointing out uncanny similarities that suggest otherwise.
Legal experts predict the case could set a precedent in Ghana’s entertainment and marketing industries. “Using a celebrity lookalike without permission, especially in advertising, raises serious concerns about image rights and potential brand confusion,” said Kwame Adu-Gyamfi, a media law analyst.
As the case unfolds, fans are rallying behind Sarkodie with hashtags like #ProtectOurArtists and #NotSarkodie trending. Many argue that public figures deserve protection from being exploited for commercial gain without fair compensation or permission.
This story is still developing and could have wider implications for artists and brands alike.
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