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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.
News
Abronye granted bail by Accra Circuit Court
An Accra Circuit Court has today granted bail to Abronye after his lawyer filed a fresh application.
The court admitted him to bail of GH¢50,000 without justification.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, Managing Counsel at Nkrumah & Associates, Lawyer Martey Addo reiterated that last week’s decision to deny bail was not proper in law.
“The same law, however, gave us an opportunity to repeat the application and correct such errors. We have argued and we are glad that our prayer has been heard,” he revealed.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Fashion Nexus Ghana launches initiative to boost Fashion Industry
Fashion Nexus Ghana has launched a major initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s fashion industry through an annual summit and year-round training programs.
The project, known as the Business of Ghanaian Fashion (BoGF) Summit & Year-Round Capacity Building Initiative, was unveiled at the Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in Accra.
The BoGF Initiative also seeks to unlock new opportunities for job creation, attract investment into the creative economy, and position Ghanaian brands to compete internationally, while promoting sustainable development through fashion.
The event brought together policymakers, designers, investors, and development partners, including representatives from UNESCO, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ghana Revenue Authority.
The BoGF Initiative, themed “Building a Sustainable Future for Ghana’s Fashion Industry,” seeks to strengthen local talent, promote sustainable practices, expand access to global markets, and position Ghana as a rising hub for fashion innovation.
The flagship BoGF Summit will serve as the launchpad for a year-long Capacity Building Programme focused on fashion business, policy, education, investment readiness, and global market integration.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Melody Boateng, a representative from UNESCO, gave a Speech on behalf of Mr Edmond Moukala, UNESCO’s Representative to Ghana.
She said UNESCO was pleased to support an initiative that strengthened Ghana’s cultural and creative industries.
She explained that the BoGF Initiative was an essential platform that harnessed creativity as a driver of sustainable development.
Founder of Fashion Nexus Ghana and Project Lead of the BoGF Initiative, Hillary S. Andoh, stated that the summit and training program were not just events, but part of a broader national movement to professionalise, develop, and scale Ghana’s fashion industry.
She noted that by bringing together creative leaders, manufacturers, textile producers, educators, policymakers, investors, and development partners, the initiative was turning dialogue into action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
