Phase 2

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Intellectual Property Ghana, Phase II

Project completed
The project will help Ghana implement a modern and development friendly system of intellectual property (IP) rights. A comprehensive IP legislative framework along with robust enforcement institutions are key elements to helping producers add value to their products, promoting technology transfer and contributing to a more innovative economy.

Country/region	Period	Budget
Ghana	01.01.2016 - 30.09.2021	CHF 1’339’414

The project in brief

Background	The enforcement of IP rights often remains relatively weak. An important reason is the lack of public awareness and capacities of the enforcement authorities, in particular at the regional and district levels. Although right holders' awareness of the concept of IP rights has improved, many still lack the specific knowledge needed to tap into the benefits IP rights.
Objectives	The overall goal of the project is to assist Ghana to design and implement a modern development-friendly system of intellectual property rights that supports national developmental strategies (including poverty reduction and trade enhancing measures) and helps the country meet its intellectual property obligations at the World Trade Organization. This, in turn, will directly help producers, companies and research institutes to better commercialise their IP rights. Indirectly, IP rights improve economic conditions by helping to attract technology, knowhow and investments.
Medium-term outcomes	Enabling the IP environment created under phase I to improve services to IP users Help enterprises to register and commercialise their IP rights Improved protection and enforcement of IP in order to ensure that right holders receive higher economic benefits and that consumers are safeguarded from substandard products Increase the demand for the registering of geographical indications for better marketing of traditional products
Results	Expected results: Enhanced capacities of government agencies in policy-making about and administration of IP rights Increased understanding among government agencies, small- and medium-sized enterprises and research institutes on the use, value and commercialization of IP rights Improved IP rights enforcement through the formulation of a strategy on Public Education & Awareness in addition to increased knowledge by the Copyright Office, the Registrar General's Department, police and customs Information on potential GIs in Ghana is available, Knowledge of key-players on the GI system is increased, Registration documents of three GI products are developed Results from previous phases: A first phase of the project was implemented between 2009 and 2013. It contributed significantly to updating the existing legal IP rights framework, including the revision of five laws. Comprehensive policy advice was provided for the elaboration of the National IP Policy and Strategy. Capacity building on matters related to IP was provided to the Judiciary through the Judicial Training Centre.
Directorate/federal office responsible	SECO
Credit area	Development cooperation
Budget	Current phase Swiss budget CHF 1’339’414 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 1’339’000
Project phases	Phase 2 01.01.2016 - 30.09.2021 (Completed)