Ghanaian acappella group Alabaster Box has officially filed a lawsuit against popular rapper Medikal, seeking GH₵15 million in damages over alleged copyright infringement involving their song “Akwaaba.”
This legal action comes shortly after the group publicly accused the rapper of using portions of their original work without authorization in his new release titled “Welcome to Africa.”
According to Alabaster Box, the first ten seconds of Medikal’s song are a direct reproduction of “Akwaaba.” They argue that not only does the intro bear a striking resemblance to their song, but the title and verses also point to a clear interpolation of their work.
The group further claims that Medikal’s aggressive promotion and widespread distribution of the track on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Audiomack, and Boomplay have deepened the violation of their intellectual property rights.
Their lawyers had earlier issued a formal demand for the immediate removal of the song from all digital and traditional platforms. They also requested an end to any performances, marketing efforts, or contractual dealings related to the track. In addition, they asked Medikal to account for all revenue generated from the song and disclose all individuals and companies involved in its promotion.
However, in what Alabaster Box describes as an inadequate response, Medikal reportedly deleted only the first ten seconds of the track from YouTube. According to the group’s legal team, this action was taken without any formal communication and is viewed not only as disrespectful but as an implicit admission of guilt.
In the writ of summons signed by their lawyer, Richard Nunekpeku, Alabaster Box is seeking general damages to the tune of GH₵10 million for what they describe as the unauthorized use of their song.
Additionally, they are demanding GH₵5 million in exemplary damages for the association of their brand with the profane content found in Medikal’s song, a move they say has negatively affected their image.
The case has stirred considerable attention in Ghana’s entertainment industry, raising serious concerns about copyright protection, artistic integrity, and the ethical use of creative works in the digital age.
