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Dzifa Gomashie launches three-day consultative meeting of ECOWAS Member States on copyright under AfCFTA
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie (M.P), on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, launched the three-day Consultative Meeting of ECOWAS Member States for a Coordinated Response to Copyright Issues in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Since January 1, 2021, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has brought together 54 countries of the continent and seeks to bring all member States of the African Union (AU) by bringing together key institutions as the common market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the Southern Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the Arab Maghreb Union and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.
The objective of this meeting was to provide a coordinated response to the consideration of copyright issues in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while taking into account the national legislation of ECOWAS member countries.
In her opening remarks, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts emphasised that Ghana recognizes the immense potential of AfCFTA to stimulate economic growth, promote innovation, and foster cultural exchange across the African continent. Realizing these potential hinges on the establishment of a robust and harmonized intellectual property rights framework, with copyright at its core.
She urged the ECOWAS Member States to have a shared responsibility in ensuring that the National copyright laws align with international standards while reflecting the unique needs and circumstances of our region.
She was optimistic that, the consultation meeting would provide a valuable platform for member states to engage in open dialogue, exchange best practices, and identify areas of convergence in our respective legal frameworks.
The Minister further enumerated some key issues that attention should be paid to in the formulation of the legal framework or reference point when it comes to Intellectual property (IP).
i) The scope of copyright protection.
ii) Enforcement mechanisms
iii) Collective management organization
iv) Exceptions and limitations
v) Cross-border cooperation
Concluding her remarks, Abla Dzifa Gomashie encouraged Member States to seize the opportunity to work together towards a future where creativity is celebrated, innovation is rewarded, and the cultural wealth of our region is safeguarded for generations yet to come.
![Mr. Atakey [right] inaugurating thr members of the Union. Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mr.-Atakey-right-inaugurating-thr-members-of-the-Union.-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth-400x240.jpg)
![Mr. Atakey [right] inaugurating thr members of the Union. Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mr.-Atakey-right-inaugurating-thr-members-of-the-Union.-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth-80x80.jpg)
BISHOP Dr Richard Owusu Akyeaw, the Founder and General Overseer of Living Grace Ministries, has condemned the growing acts of indiscipline and lawlessness in second cycle institutions.
He called for a collective approach to reverse the trend, saying that discipline triggered academic excellence in achieving life successes.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw made the call when speaking at a durbar of parents, teachers, and students to climax the 15th anniversary celebration of the Standard School of Royals in Sunyani and praised the school authorities for the level of discipline among the students and pupils.
He noted that instilling a sense of discipline would improve academic performance of students and thereby advance academic growth and development in schools.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw said that:
“Excellence isn’t an event, but a habit formed through consistency and self-discipline,”
saying that any disciplined environment fostered confidence, creativity, and love for nation.
He commended the teachers of the school for the dedication in moulding the students and pupils responsibly and urged the school children to remain focused, obedient, and studious.
Mrs Vivian Adu Bonsu, the Proprietress of the School, expressed appreciation to God, management, teachers, and parents for the school’s academic successes.
She said despite some emerging challenges, the school remained committed to achieving its vision of churning out quality and well-behaved and morally upright graduates. –GNA
THE chiefs and people of Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region on Saturday celebrated their Apomasu Yam Festival at Ntotroso amidst pomp and pageantry.
The colourful festival, which featured a week-long activities including traditional cultural rites, was held under the Theme: ‘Mining and Tradition: Building Resilient Communities through Sustainable and Responsible Mining.’
It attracted a lot of guests including chiefs, politicians, businessmen and women, foreigners, school children and members of the public amidst drumming and dancing.
The Apomasu Yam Festival, celebrated biennially, honours the Apomasu deity believed to safeguard the community’s wellbeing.
The festival also served as a fundraiser to support ongoing educational infrastructure projects initiated by the Ntotroso Traditional Council.
Addressing the people, Barima Twereku Ampem III, Paramount chief of Ntotroso, said the Apomasu festival was not merely a celebration of harvest, but signifies a spiritual homecoming as well as a moment of thanksgiving to the Almighty God and to the ancestors for protecting the land, blessing the farms, and sustaining them.
The festival, he noted, symbolises renewal of unity, purpose and collective responsibility to protect the land entrusted to us.
Touching on the menace of illegal mining activities, Barima Twereku Ampem, who is also the president of the Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, pledged the support of the chiefs and people in the area to complement government’s efforts at finding a lasting solution to the problem.
According to him, illegal mining remains a threat not only to our environment but to national security and long-term development of the country.
He, however, urged the government to ensure strict enforcement of the law, in a fair, consistent and transparent manner so as to deal with the menace.
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, who led the government delegation, commended the chiefs and people of Ntotroso for organising a successful festival.
He praised their commitment to be accountable and transparent in their dealings with the people.
“Most leaders finds it difficult to be accountable to their people. What you have shown here is a demonstration of your commitment to honesty and integrity—a virtue that must be emulated by who aspire to lead,” he stated.
He later donated a cash of Gh₵100,000 to support the celebration.
After more than 300 years of existence, Ntotroso has seen a lot of changes both the social and economic fronts.
From a largely subsistence local economy, Ntotroso and other surrounding communities have now been placed on the global map of gold producing areas following the acquisition of mining concession in 2003 by Newmont Ahafo Mines.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Ntotroso
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