Mahama’s special aide accused of plagiarising presidential legal counsel’s artwork
The debate surrounding the proposed 24-hour economy in Ghana took a dramatic turn on 26 November 2023, when an artwork originally posted by Kow Essuman was allegedly plagiarised and altered by Mogtari
In a recent development that has stirred controversy in Ghana’s political sphere, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the special aide to former President John Mahama, finds herself in the midst of a plagiarism scandal.
The debate surrounding the proposed 24-hour economy in Ghana took a dramatic turn on 26 November 2023, when an artwork originally posted by the President’s Legal Counsel, Kow Essuman, was allegedly plagiarised and altered by Mogtari.
At 8:43 am on the said date, Essuman shared an eye-catching artwork depicting two ladies in conversation, with one stating, “The 24-Hour Economy is a SCAM.”
The artwork quickly gained attention, leading to various reactions, including criticism from Mogtari. However, in a surprising twist, Mogtari reposted the same artwork on her social media at 21:11, but with a significant modification.
The words on the artwork were changed to read, “The 24-Hour economy is the game changer!”, directly contradicting the original message.
This act of alteration has raised serious questions about Mogtari’s originality and credibility. Critics argue that this incident reflects a lack of ideas and creativity, echoing the sentiment that “Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”
However, in this context, the imitation has led to accusations of intellectual dishonesty.
Under Ghanaian law, copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution.
The copyright vested in Essuman’s artwork was clearly breached when Mogtari modified and republished the artwork without authorisation. This act contravenes the principles of copyright law, which seek to protect the originality and ownership of creative works.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on respect for intellectual property rights in political discourse.
As the debate on the 24-hour economy continues, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of originality and the legal implications of copyright infringement in the digital age.
The actions of Mogtari, a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics, are now under scrutiny, with many calling for a more ethical and respectful approach to political campaigning and discourse.
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