Accra: 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 organized by Fashion Forum Africa and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event formed part of activities leading to the inaugural Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair (Alt.FFF) scheduled for September in Accra. Mr. Sampson Ahi, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industries, emphasized the importance of strengthening legal and institutional awareness around intellectual property. As Africa's fashion and textile industry continues to attract international attention, he stated that 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. She remarked, '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.'
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 organizations, 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 will convene stakeholders across fibre, fabric, manufacturing, materials, and trade to drive collaboration, visibility, and market access for African-made products.