Black Star Fashion Week: Stakeholders call for stronger IP protection for Ghana’s cultural products

Stakeholders in Ghana’s creative arts and cultural industries have called for stronger intellectual property (IP) protection, fairer remuneration for traditional artisans and strategic investment to boost the global visibility and commercial value of indigenous Ghanaian products.

The call was made during a panel discussion at this year’s Black Star Fashion Summit, held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Wednesday.

The summit formed part of activities marking Black Star Fashion Week, themed “Put Fashion On”, which will culminate in the Presidential Runway showcase on November 7 at the Royal Senchi Hotel in Akosombo.

Moderated by broadcaster Chrystal Kwame-Aryee, the panel featured Osei Bonsu Sarfo Kantanka, an author, historian and anthropologist; Dr Courage Besah-Adanu, Head of the Geographical Indications Unit at the Ghana Industrial Property Office; Andrew Ackah, President of the Advertising Association of Ghana; and Gideon Aryeetey, Secretary of the Creative Arts Council.

Exploring the theme, “How Do We Put Ghana On? Kente, Culture and the Power of Our Story,” the panellists examined ways Ghana could protect its cultural heritage, safeguard its commercial value and strengthen the global appeal of indigenous products across the fashion value chain.

Dr Besah-Adanu described kente as a communal cultural asset requiring deliberate protection through appropriate legal frameworks, regulations and national investment.

He said protecting cultural heritage went beyond preserving tradition, as it could also strengthen Ghana’s position in the global marketplace. He cited fugu and shea butter as other indigenous products with significant cultural and commercial value that could benefit from similar protection.

He further highlighted geographical indications as an important intellectual property tool for protecting products whose qualities or reputation are linked to specific geographical origins and communities. He urged stakeholders to acquire the necessary knowledge to safeguard both the tangible and intangible elements of their products through appropriate intellectual property systems.

Ackah also highlighted the importance of international recognition and protecting Ghanaian cultural identity, while emphasising the role of effective promotion in enhancing the global appeal of indigenous products.

For Aryeetey, the lack of confidence in promoting and celebrating locally produced works remains a major challenge confronting Ghana’s creative sector.

He noted that despite the country’s rich cultural heritage and creative talent, inadequate branding and marketing continued to limit the visibility, appeal and commercial potential of indigenous products.

He also outlined plans for the Creative Arts Agency to introduce a registration and licensing framework for creative arts enterprises. The initiative, he explained, is intended to strengthen industry regulation, improve data collection and support the enforcement of relevant laws to protect businesses.

The discussion also highlighted gaps in intellectual property education as a major concern within the creative arts ecosystem. Panellists called for targeted training to equip creatives, artisans and businesses with practical knowledge of intellectual property rights, branding and other mechanisms for protecting their work.

Beyond panel discussions, the 2026 Black Star Fashion Week also featured masterclasses, exhibitions, and networking experiences.