By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The Director General of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), Mr. Bemanya Twebaze, has lauded Ghana’s long-standing leadership in intellectual property development as he officially opened the 49th Session of the ARIPO Administrative Council in Accra.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Twebaze expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for their hospitality and for continually providing a conducive environment for regional and international engagements.
He said Accra’s capacity to host high-level meetings “continues to demonstrate its excellence in shaping Africa’s development agenda.”
The DG paid special tribute to Ghana’s historic contribution to IP advancement, noting milestones such as its accession to the WIPO Convention in 1976, the Lusaka Agreement in 1978, adoption of the Harare Protocol in 1984, and most recently, the Arusha Protocol in 2023.
He also applauded the successful registration of the Kente Geographical Indication, describing it as a model of how IP can preserve cultural identity while empowering local communities.
Mr. Twebaze highlighted the progress made under the organization’s current Strategic Plan (2022–2026), which he said is now over 80 percent implemented.
Key achievements include digital transformation, enhanced governance systems, improved examination processes, reduced application backlogs, and strengthened engagement with creators, SMEs, and research institutions across member states.
The DG noted that patent and trademark filings under the Harare and Banjul Protocols, respectively, continue to rise, reflecting growing trust in ARIPO’s operational efficiency.
Emphazing further that progress has also been recorded under several copyright frameworks, including the Nairobi and Harare Strategic Plans, as well as increasing usage of the Kampala Protocol for voluntary copyright registration.
The DG said digitization remains at the core of ARIPO’s modernization agenda, with ongoing improvements to data systems, enterprise resource planning, and online access to IP records.
He added that capacity-building initiatives for IP professionals, policymakers, and examiners are equipping member states to confront emerging global trends such as AI, green technologies, and digital innovation.
Mr. Twebaze indicated that ARIPO’s growing partnerships with organizations including WIPO, OAPI, EUIPO, Canada’s IPO, China’s CNIPA, Japan Patent Office, Singapore IPO, and the European Patent Office, among others.
These collaborations, he said, have expanded training, harmonized standards, and reinforced Africa’s collective voice in global IP platforms.
Looking ahead, he announced that ARIPO will celebrate its 50th Anniversary (ARIPO@50) in Lusaka, Zambia, in December 2026, an event expected to bring together inventors, policymakers, IP practitioners, and creators to reflect on the continent’s innovation trajectory.
He has however, reaffirmed ARIPO’s commitment to supporting member states, as Africa’s future growth hinges on how well it cultivates creativity and innovation.
“Intellectual property is the bridge between imagination and prosperity,” he declared, calling for deeper cooperation, stronger institutions, and the integration of IP into national development strategies.
He concluded with an African proverb: “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it,” urging delegates to work collectively to ensure that IP becomes a key driver of Africa’s socio-economic transformation.
