The initiative, according to him, forms part of agenda to modernise the intellectual and industrial property ecosystem, and position it as a catalyst for industrialisation, export diversification and rural livelihoods.

The Minister said the ongoing reforms also included major upgrades in the country’s patent administration systems, strengthening the links between industrial design protection, export promotion and national standards.

Dr Ayine disclosed this at the opening of the 49th Session of the Administrative Council of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) in Accra yesterday.

The four-day meeting is being organised by ARIPO in partnership with the Registrar-General’s Department.

The AG said the country’s intellectual property reform agenda was moving “with purpose”, anchored on a clear commitment to build efficient systems that empower innovators, creators, entrepreneurs and rural producers.

He said ARIPO’s frameworks, especially the Harare, Banjul and Arusha Protocols, had enabled member states to make progress in harmonising IP laws, but more commitment was needed to fully leverage pooled regional resources for the benefit of Africa’s youth, SMEs and knowledge-driven sectors.

Dr Ayine described human capital as the bedrock of intellectual property development, welcoming ARIPO’s investments in examiner training, policymaker capacity building and public awareness initiatives.

For IP to truly drive development, he stressed, “it must be understood and valued by society as a whole.”

He urged member states to accelerate accession to key instruments, including the Arusha Protocol on Plant Variety Protection, to strengthen regional coherence in safeguarding plant breeders’ rights and attracting agricultural investment.

On Ghana’s progress, the AG highlighted recent milestones such as the entry into force of the Plant Variety Protection Act, the recognition of Kente and the traditional spirit APIO as registered GIs, and continued expansion of electronic IP services to improve transparency and access for SMEs nationwide.

He noted that the government had advanced the Ghana Industrial Property Office Bill to establish a dedicated IP office, a move expected to shorten processing times and boost user support.

Director-General of ARIPO, Mr Bemanya Twebaze, commended Ghana’s leadership and long-standing commitment to regional IP development, describing the registration of kente as a GI as a landmark that blends cultural preservation with economic empowerment.

He said ARIPO’s Strategic Plan (2022–2026) was over 80 per cent implemented, with reforms in digitisation, governance, capacity building and operational efficiency yielding strong results, including rising patent and trademark filings and increased voluntary copyright registrations.

The Registrar-General, Mrs Grace Ama Issahaque, said IP had become an indispensable driver of national transformation. She underscored the importance of cooperation among African IP offices, especially in digitalisation, harmonisation and strengthening institutional resilience.