Sarkodie sues Ecobank Ghana

Celebrated Ghanaian Rapper, Michael Owusu Addo, popularly known as Sarkodie, has filed a lawsuit against Ecobank Ghana, accusing the financial institution of unlawfully exploiting his image rights.

The lawsuit, filed on March 25, 2025, alleges that Ecobank used the image of a lookalike in a promotional campaign, misleading the public into believing that Sarkodie had endorsed the bank’s products and services.

The artist contends that this act amounts to a misrepresentation of his brand and a violation of his intellectual property rights.

Sarkodie, who is the current brand ambassador for First Bank—one of Ecobank’s direct competitors—claims the campaign created significant “brand confusion” and potentially undermined his existing endorsement deals.

In the suit, the award-winning rapper is seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent Ecobank from using any image or likeness that may be associated with him.

He is also demanding damages for what he describes as unauthorized commercial use of his identity.

“Using a lookalike of a public figure—especially one who represents a competing brand—crosses ethical and legal boundaries,” Sarkodie’s legal team stated.

“This is not just misleading; it has the potential to harm our client’s professional credibility and contractual relationships.”

As of the time of this report, Ecobank Ghana—Ghana’s largest bank by asset value—has yet to issue a formal response to the claims.

The case has sparked public interest and could reignite discussions about personality rights, endorsement ethics, and the responsibilities of corporate entities in marketing campaigns.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith