Telecel Ghana is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after being hit with a lawsuit from a woman who says her image was used in an ad campaign — without her say-so.
Faustina Djagbele Abbey claims the telecom giant featured her photo in a promotion for its digital savings product, Telecel Red Save, without ever asking permission. She filed the suit on May 23, 2025, through her lawyer Bernard Owiredu Donkor of Thompson Law Consult.
The campaign reportedly ran across multiple platforms, including social media, leading to what Abbey describes as an avalanche of assumptions from friends and family — namely, that she’d come into sudden wealth. According to the lawsuit, this false impression caused strain on her relationships and took a toll on her mental health.
Telecel, in a short statement, confirmed it’s aware of the legal claim and is taking it seriously.
“We are currently reviewing the details of this claim to establish the facts,” the company said. “We take matters of privacy, imagery consent, and intellectual property seriously.”
The case has sparked fresh conversations around corporate responsibility and the need for companies to tread carefully when it comes to image rights — especially in an age where one viral post can change a person’s life in unexpected ways.
While the full facts are still unfolding, this story serves as a reminder: when it comes to using someone’s face in your ad, always ask first.
