The government of Ghana has come up with the country’s first intellectual property (IP) document, called National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) document, aimed at strengthening the management of the intellectual property system in Ghana.
Minister of trade and industry Hannah Tetteh announced the new policy Wednesday at a 2-day NIPPS Stakeholders’ Review workshop in Accra, in a speech read on her behalf by Nii Ansag-Adjei, the ministry’s chief director.
The new policy focused on encouraging innovation and creativity in the industry is expected to bring Ghana’s IP regime in line with the laws prescribed in the intellectual property laws prescribed by World Trade Organization.
The NIPPS policy covers key aspects of intellectual property system including protection, administration and management, enforcement, generation and commercialization of IP systems.
The minister said with the NIPPS in place as a regulatory framework, it would serve as a tool set to add value to one’s creativity and ingenuity.
Africa’s is experiencing a boom in the innovation with most African governments struggling to come up with dynamic policies set to encourage and protect the innovations.
According to Prof Tom Peter Migun Ogada, an intellectual property policy expert, many countries in Africa still struggle to develop the policy.
He further urged stakeholders to embrace the policy in their strategies.
