Afro-Caribbean Forum Urges Enhanced IP and Copyright Protections for Creative Industries

Stakeholders from the creative sectors of Africa and the Caribbean convened at the Afro Caribbean Creative Bridge forum to advocate for stronger intellectual property (IP) and copyright protections. The event, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, aimed to explore strategies for enhancing IP systems and fostering creative collaboration between the two regions.

Dzifa Abla Gomashie, Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, underscored the necessity of more effective copyright management frameworks. She stressed that such systems are vital to ensure creatives receive fair financial returns from their work, enabling them to thrive in the global marketplace. “Too often, many of our creatives, at the end of their lives, have very little to show for what they have achieved, only because they stopped producing. But the music is being played all the time. Who is paying for that?” Minister Gomashie questioned.

The Minister further advocated for enhanced cooperation between African and Caribbean nations to strengthen their creative industries collectively. She highlighted that robust copyright protections would facilitate the mobility and collaboration of creatives across borders.

Renowned musician and Africa Ambassador Rocky Dawuni emphasized Africa’s vast creative wealth, describing it as a defining element of the continent’s identity. “Africa is a land of creativity. Our creativity defines who we are as a people, from our music to our food and culture,” he said. Dawuni called for the establishment of appropriate legal frameworks to protect creative works and ensure that creators benefit from the economic value generated by their intellectual property.

Carol Simpson, WIPO’s officer responsible for Latin America and the Caribbean, detailed the organization’s commitment to delivering practical solutions that empower creators. “We’re really working from a very practical perspective, bringing experts here who can have discussions and come up with solutions in terms of how our creatives can better protect and benefit from their creativity,” she explained.

The forum represents a strategic effort to deepen collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean, addressing the intellectual property challenges that arise as creative works reach broader international audiences and markets.

For Ghana’s creative industry, the discussions resonate with ongoing concerns about the disparity between the widespread consumption of creative content and the limited financial benefits accruing to artists. Despite the continuous value generated through streaming platforms, radio, events, and international markets, many creators struggle to earn sustainable incomes from their work.

The Afro Caribbean Creative Bridge forum thus serves as a critical platform for stakeholders to identify actionable measures to strengthen IP protections, improve copyright enforcement, and foster equitable compensation mechanisms for creatives across both regions.