Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie Opens ECOWAS Consultative Meeting on Copyright Under AfCFTA

Accra, Ghana – The Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie (M.P.), on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, inaugurated a three-day consultative meeting of ECOWAS member states aimed at formulating a coordinated response to copyright issues within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The AfCFTA, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, is Africa’s most ambitious economic integration initiative, uniting 54 countries under a single market. The agreement seeks to harmonize trade policies across key regional economic communities, including ECOWAS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), and others.

The consultative meeting brings together policymakers, legal experts, and stakeholders to align national copyright legislation with AfCFTA’s objectives while ensuring that regional intellectual property laws reflect international best practices.

Ghana’s Commitment to Copyright Protection

In her opening remarks, Hon. Gomashie highlighted Ghana’s strong commitment to AfCFTA’s success, stressing that economic growth, cultural exchange, and innovation depend on a well-structured intellectual property (IP) framework. "A harmonized copyright regime is essential to protect the rights of creators, stimulate creative industries, and drive sustainable economic development across the continent," she noted.

She urged ECOWAS member states to collaborate in shaping copyright policies that balance national priorities with global standards. The consultative meeting, she said, would serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, dialogue, and consensus-building on key copyright issues.

Key Areas for Consideration

Hon. Gomashie outlined five critical areas for deliberation in the development of a regional copyright framework:

1. Scope of Copyright Protection – Defining the extent of copyright coverage across different creative industries.

2. Enforcement Mechanisms – Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks for copyright enforcement.

3. Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) – Enhancing the role of CMOs in protecting artists' rights and ensuring fair compensation.

4. Exceptions and Limitations – Establishing fair use policies that support education, research, and public access to information.

5. Cross-Border Cooperation – Facilitating regional collaboration to address copyright infringement and piracy.

A Call for Collective Action

Concluding her address, Hon. Gomashie urged ECOWAS nations to seize the opportunity to create a future where creativity is valued, innovation is rewarded, and Africa’s cultural heritage is preserved. "By working together, we can establish a copyright system that not only protects our artists but also strengthens Africa’s position in the global creative economy," she emphasized.

The three-day consultative meeting is expected to produce recommendations that will inform a unified copyright strategy within the AfCFTA framework, ensuring that Africa’s creative industries thrive in the digital and globalized economy.