Ghanaian Deputy Trade Minister Calls for Enhanced IP Protection in Creative and Manufacturing Sectors

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry of Ghana, Mr. Sampson Ahi, has underscored the urgent need to bolster legal and institutional awareness of intellectual property (IP) rights within the country’s creative and manufacturing sectors. Speaking at a workshop held in Accra on Monday, Mr. Ahi highlighted the growing importance of protecting originality, innovation, and local value creation as Africa’s fashion and textile industry gains increasing global recognition.

The workshop, themed “Who Owns Your Work?”, was organized by Fashion Forum Africa (FFA) as a lead-up to the Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair (Alt.FFF) scheduled for September 2026. It convened government officials, industry players, academics, development institutions, and key stakeholders from the garment, textile, and leather sectors to deliberate on issues surrounding ownership, intellectual property, and value protection in Africa’s burgeoning creative economy.

A key presentation was delivered by intellectual property consultant Dr. Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr, popularly known as BNOSKKA, who emphasized the necessity of building stronger systems to safeguard African creativity, cultural heritage, manufacturing, and innovation. His insights reinforced the workshop’s focus on enhancing IP frameworks to support sustainable growth.

Mr. Ahi praised the Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair initiative for creating a platform that integrates fashion, manufacturing, trade, and policy. He described the initiative as timely and instrumental in deepening intra-African industry engagement while positioning Ghana as a pivotal player in the continent’s textile and creative economy.

Ms. Makeba Boateng, Founder of Fashion Forum Africa and Lead Curator of Alt.FFF, stressed the importance of expanding industry conversations beyond fashion aesthetics to encompass ownership rights, production systems, and value creation. She noted that Africa’s rising prominence in the global fashion industry must be matched by deliberate efforts to strengthen manufacturing capabilities, material sourcing, trade, and intellectual property protection across the continent.

Highlighting the need for collaboration and education, Ms. Edwina Assan, Sector Chair for Garment, Textile and Leather at the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), called for increased awareness of intellectual property rights and the promotion of structured business practices. She emphasized that such measures are vital to supporting the sustainable growth of Ghana’s garment and textile industry.

Mr. Carl Ampah, Professional Officer for the Culture Sector at the UNESCO Ghana Office and Chair of the occasion, described intellectual property as a crucial tool for preserving cultural expression, creativity, and innovation. He noted that protecting intellectual assets ensures that creators and innovators benefit from their work while safeguarding Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

The workshop aimed to equip stakeholders along the fashion and textile value chain with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to compete effectively in an increasingly globalized industry. It served as a critical forum to foster understanding of IP rights and their role in enhancing competitiveness.

The Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair (Alt.FFF), slated for September 17 to 19 in Accra, is expected to bring together stakeholders across fiber, fabric, manufacturing, materials, and trade sectors. The fair’s objectives include promoting collaboration, enhancing visibility, and expanding market access for African-made materials and products. Ultimately, it seeks to contribute to the development of a more integrated and competitive fashion and textile industry across Africa.