WIPO Targets Stronger IP Ecosystem for Women-Led SMEs in Ghana

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is deepening its engagement with Ghana through a new partnership aimed at strengthening the country’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This follows a high-level meeting in Accra between WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Ghana’s Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare.

Central to the collaboration is a six-month capacity-building program designed specifically for women-led SMEs and agribusiness operators. The initiative, Daren Tang explained, is part of WIPO’s broader push to democratise IP knowledge globally and expand commercialisation skills across developing economies. He noted that women in particular play a transformative role in Ghana’s agribusiness value chain but often face systemic limitations in accessing the tools needed to scale their innovations.

“We want to move intellectual property from the global north to the global south, to our brothers and sisters in Africa, and we are here to walk with you throughout the training process,” the WIPO chief said. The program will offer practical training in IP protection, branding strategies, product upgrading, and market positioning, areas many SMEs struggle with despite strong production capacity.

Minister Ofosu-Adjare welcomed the partnership, emphasising that the training aligns with Ghana’s industrialisation agenda. She highlighted packaging as one of the most persistent barriers restricting local producers from achieving higher value addition and meeting export standards.

“Training programs for women in agribusiness are the way to go. Anything that will help promote proper packaging is always welcome.” She urged WIPO to accelerate the rollout, adding that the earlier implementation begins, the sooner small producers can experience tangible benefits,” she stressed.

The collaboration is particularly significant as it marks one of WIPO’s most targeted interventions in Ghana in recent years. It also dovetails with the government’s drive to strengthen non-traditional exports, enhance product quality, and promote innovation-led growth. The capacity-building initiative is expected to help SMEs leverage trademarks, patents, geographical indications, and modern packaging practices to improve product visibility and meet regional market requirements under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

WIPO officials and Ministry technocrats are expected to continue technical discussions in the coming weeks to finalise implementation timelines, sector prioritisation and beneficiary quotas. Once launched, the program is anticipated to expand Ghana’s IP portfolio by encouraging more firms to formalise their innovations and participate actively in global value chains.