Selected goals and objectives of high relevance to Ghana to be
achieved by SGIP II include:

• An enabling IP environment is in place and improved services are provided to IP users.
• Research institutions and SMEs are increasingly commercialising their IPRs.
• The protection and enforcement of IPRs are improved for the higher economic benefits of rights holders and for safeguarding consumers against substandard goods.
• Legal protection and market access of high quality agricultural products and handicraft products are improved for the benefit of rural and artisanal communities.

1 Why Ghana? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

Considering the relatively advanced stage of Ghana’s system of IPRs, this niche approach of SGIP II of “filling specific gaps” adds the most value and thus seems to be the best strategy to achieve sustainable results.

SGIP II provides the opportunity to consolidate, broaden and deepen results achieved by SGIP I. The continuation of support – with a shifted focus to the practical implementation of the newly established policy framework – will translate prior achievements into tangible, sustainable outcomes that directly benefit key stakeholders.

Within selected thematic areas, the activities mainly consist of technical capacity building through training, workshops, education programmes and expert input, to be led by national and international consultants. These activities increase the capacity of relevant IP-related organisations in delivering professional services. Furthermore, SGIP II envisages supporting the pilot registration of selected geographical indications (GIs) products, which will be determined during the implementation of the project. The registration of these local specialty products as GIs is expected to increase the income of local producers.

1 Why Ghana? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

Strong IPR protection is becoming increasingly important for Ghana’s ability to attract investments in modern technologies, which are needed to improve the quality of local products and add value to them. Ghana has great capacity in establishing new brands, e.g. for the export of fruit, cacao beans, coffee, and shea butter. Higher competitiveness and more value added to these and other products are expected to result in a positive impact on the country’s socio-economic development. An effective and well-balanced IPR system encourages technology transfer, research and development, and the building of strong local brands, which are crucial for increasing the international competitiveness of Ghanaian companies. Better protection and use of GIs for marketing local specialties benefit rural areas in particular and enable Ghana to leverage its internal strengths and allow for a more balanced growth. The protection of GIs as well as the better enforcement of other forms of IPRs in Ghana would contribute to the safeguarding of the rich cultural tradition and heritage of the country.

1 Why Ghana? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts

The main beneficiaries of SGIP II are the Industrial Property Offices at the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), and the Copyright Office under the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Department (MoJ). Both will benefit through direct technical capacity building. Additionally, local small and medium enterprises and relevant associations benefit from tailor-made workshops and training, while other economic actors as well as the wider Ghanaian public benefit indirectly through improved services of the RGD, and the improved quality and competitiveness of Ghanaian products. The impact of SGIP II also extends to the more vulnerable segments of the Ghanaian population such as rural communities, mainly through the use of GIs for marketing local specialties.

Project Duration
January 2016 – December 2021

Total budget
CHF 1,400,000

Donor agency
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs – SECO

Implementing partners
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – IPI
Ghana Ministry of Trade and Industry – MoTI
Ghana Ministry of Justice – MoJ

Ghana country context
Population: 26 million
Area: 238,533 km²
Annual GDP growth: 4.0% (2014)
Annual income per capita: USD 4,100 (2014)

1 Why Ghana? | 2 Objectives | 3 What we do | 4 Why IP | 5 Who benefits? | 6 Project Facts