By Eunice Hilda A. Mensah
Accra, June 8, GNA – Stakeholders in Ghana’s fashion, textile, creative and manufacturing sectors have underscored the need for stronger intellectual property protection to safeguard originality, innovation and value creation within Africa’s growing creative industries.
This was the central theme at the “Who Owns Your Work?” workshop jointly organised by Fashion Forum Africa and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Accra.
The event formed part of activities leading to the inaugural Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair (Alt.FFF) scheduled for September in Accra, a statement to the Ghana News Agency said.
Mr Sampson Ahi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industries, emphasised the importance of strengthening legal and institutional awareness around intellectual property.
As Africa’s fashion and textile industry continued to attract international attention, he said protecting local creativity and manufacturing must remain a priority.
Mr Ahi commended initiatives such as Alt.FFF for creating platforms that connected fashion, manufacturing, trade and policy conversations, describing the fair as a timely opportunity to deepen intra-African industry engagement while positioning Ghana as a key contributor to the continent’s textile economy.
The workshop featured presentations from Intellectual Property Consultant, Dr Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr (BNOSKKA) and discussions on building stronger systems to protect African creativity, heritage and innovation.
Ms Makeba Boateng, Founder of Fashion Forum Africa and Lead Curator of Alt.FFF, urged stakeholders to shift conversations beyond aesthetics to ownership and value creation.
“Africa is receiving increasing global attention for its fashion industry, but we must also focus on the systems behind the industry – materials, manufacturing, ownership and trade,” she said.
Edwina Assan, Sector Chair for Garment, Textile and Leather at AGI, highlighted the need for collaboration and education within the sector, stressing that awareness around intellectual property and structured business practices was critical for growth.
The event was chaired by Mr Carl Ampah, Professional Officer, Culture Sector, UNESCO Ghana Office, who underscored intellectual property as a vital tool for safeguarding cultural expression and innovation.
The workshop attracted a broad cross-section of stakeholders including government institutions, regulatory bodies, academia, manufacturers, designers, artisans, development organisations and media practitioners.
Institutions represented included the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, UNESCO Ghana, the Copyright Office of Ghana, National Folklore Board, Registrar General’s Department, JACCD Design Institute Africa, and the Ghana Culture Forum.
The Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair (Alt.FFF) will take place from September 17 to 19 at the Palms Convention Centre, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra.
It would convene stakeholders across fibre, fabric, manufacturing, materials and trade to drive collaboration, visibility and market access for African-made products.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Eunice Hilda A. Mensah
Email: [email protected]
