Sarkodie Sues Ecobank Ghana Over Unauthorized Use of Lookalike in Ad Campaign

 

Ghanaian rap legend Michael Owusu Addo, popularly known as Sarkodie, has taken legal action against Ecobank Ghana Limited, filing a lawsuit at the Commercial Division of the High Court in Accra.

The lawsuit stems from a recent advertising campaign by the bank, which allegedly featured an individual who bears a striking resemblance to Sarkodie—without his permission. According to the rapper, the unauthorized use of a lookalike violates his intellectual property rights and misrepresents his personal brand.

In legal documents making rounds on social media, Sarkodie claims that the campaign caused him reputational damage and financial loss. The court filing seeks: General damages for misuse of likeness. A perpetual injunction to prevent future use of his image. Immediate removal of all media (digital and print) associated with the campaign.

The ad campaign in question, titled #ItsGivingScam, was meant to raise awareness around scams—but quickly sparked controversy. Fans and critics alike were quick to point out the uncanny resemblance between Sarkodie and the actor used. Reports suggest the lookalike has ties to First Bank Ghana as a creative professional.

The decision to use a doppelgänger rather than a legitimate celebrity endorsement ignited backlash online. Many social media users questioned why Ecobank bypassed King Promise, a well-known artist and an existing Ecobank brand ambassador, in favor of someone mimicking Sarkodie.

Fans have rallied in support of Sarkodie, calling for greater respect for artists' likeness and personal brands, especially when used for commercial gain.