Accra (Greater Accra) 27 November 2001-The government is drafting a new intellectual property policy to reflect its vision of renewing the country's cultural values and promoting economic growth.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo said on Monday the government had already initiated the process by modernizing intellectual property offices and also examining related institutional models for effective functioning of the system.
He was opening the 25th Session of the Administrative Council of the African Regional Industrial Property Organisation (ARIPO) in Accra.
The council consists of heads of industrial property offices of the 15 member-states who meet once a year to approve the budget and programme of activities as well as carve its way forward.
The conference, organised jointly by the Harare-based ARIPO Secretariat, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Government of Ghana, also provided the forum for the launch of activities marking the silver jubilee celebrations of the organisation.
Nana Akufo-Addo urged African leaders to strengthen protection of intellectual property rights such as patents for products and processes, trademarks, copyrights and design rights.
In addition, they should empower the indigenous business class to lead the economic transformation and reduce mass poverty on the continent.
"It is not enough merely being part of initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act; we must ensure that our products are able to compete effectively with those of other countries."
He said to harmonise the effect of the new intellectual property system, related legislation such as those on geographical indications, protection of plant variety, industrial designs and integrated circuits would be put before Parliament for consideration.
Nana Akufo-Addo expressed regret that the continent was plagued with rampant cases of poverty, civil strife, corruption and the most alarming trend of HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He called for fusion of traditional herbal medicine into the orthodox system and not to shun traditional medicine practitioners as being quacks and semi-literate nuisances.
"Admittedly, there are disreputable peddlers and practitioners in every profession but we must learn to synthesise and be able to distil their best practices for the betterment of our people."
He tasked the delegates to use the period to offer creative and adequate responses to challenges facing Africa's intellectual property systems by formulating viable strategies for the adoption of governments.
Mr Muzondi Chirambo, ARIPO Director-General and Geoffrey Onyeama representing WIPO, gave an overview of cooperation between their two bodies towards strengthening intellectual property systems in Africa.
GRi…/
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