Afro Caribbean Creative Bridge forum: Stakeholders call for stronger intellectual property, copyright protection for creatives

The Afro Caribbean Creative Bridge forum, hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has brought together industry stakeholders to emphasize the need for robust intellectual property and copyright safeguards. Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Abla Gomashie, advocated for enhanced copyright management systems that would ensure creators receive fair financial compensation for their work.

She highlighted that creators often see little benefit for themselves even as their creations continue to generate revenue through various platforms, such as streaming services, radio, and international markets.

Musician and Africa Ambassador, Rocky Dawuni, underscored Africa's vast creative potential, asserting that it represents a crucial asset that must be safeguarded and recognized. He stressed the importance of implementing appropriate legal frameworks to protect creative works and ensure creators reap the rewards of their intellectual property.

Carol Simpson, the officer in charge of Latin America and the Caribbean at WIPO, announced that the organization is actively developing practical solutions to empower creators in protecting and profiting from their creative endeavors. The forum, part of a larger effort to bolster collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean, aims to address the intellectual property challenges that creators face as their work gains global recognition and reaches new markets.