The U.S. Embassy
together with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have convened
Ghanaian judges, customs officials, and law enforcement officers to promote the protection and enforcement of intellectual property and legitimate
international trade in advance of World Intellectual Property Day on April 26.
The two intellectual
property enforcement workshops include nearly 60 officials from the judiciary,
customs, and law enforcement sectors.
“In the information age, intellectual
property protections are key to promoting equitable economic growth and
international trade while protecting individual innovations. We hope this
training will help make Ghana’s IP processes more accessible to ordinary
Ghanaians by sharing our experience in the United States regarding the
adjudication and enforcement of IP cases,” said Chargé d’affaires Rolf Olson
during the opening session on Tuesday.
The
two-part training sessions will focus first on judges, then customs and law
enforcement officials, over four days (April 23-26). U.S. federal judges,
officials from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of
Justice, and Department of Homeland Security, along with officials from Ghana’s
Registrar General’s Department and Copyright Office will lead the training sessions
and discussions at the West Africa Regional Training Center in Accra.
Ghana
is a leading signatory to intellectual property treaties among Middle Eastern
and African nations. The U.S. Embassy, in partnership with USPTO is a long-term
supporter of strengthening Ghana’s intellectual property protection and
enforcement infrastructure to promote innovation and long-term economic growth.
This training follows Ghanaian officials’ visits to USPTO headquarters in the
United States last year, where partners identified common areas of interest for
future cooperation.
World
Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26 to recognize the importance
of intellectual property protections that reward creators, protect innovation,
and support legitimate economic growth.
