By Samuel SAM
A recent workshop organised by CopyGhana, a Reproduction Rights Organisation (RRO) in Ghana, focused on empowering creators in the text and image-based industries to better protect their works and secure fair compensation.
Held at the Centre for National Culture (CNC) in Tamale, the event aimed to educate rights owners on the importance of copyright protection in the digital era.
According to global statistics, copyright industries contribute an average of 5.54 percent to national Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and account for 5.78 percent of employment. In Ghana, a 2020 study found that copyright industries contribute 4.02 percent to GDP and employ 4.77 percent of the national workforce. These figures underscore the significant economic impact of creators who work with text and images, driving both innovation and growth in the creative industries.
Despite this contribution, creators often struggle to receive fair compensation due to digital technology abuses and insufficient protection for their intellectual property. The workshop, funded by the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO), addressed these challenges by equipping participants with practical strategies for promoting and enforcing their copyrights.
The event, titled ‘Relevance of Collective Licencing for Text and Image-Based Works in the Digital Transformation Era’, disseminated findings from a 2023 survey funded by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The survey monitored digital usage of text and image-based works in tertiary institutions across Ghana.
With a special focus on visual arts creators – who have historically received less attention from CopyGhana compared to text-based creators – the workshop attracted photographers, teachers, publishers, printers and visual arts practitioners. The goal was to highlight the importance of collective management and licencing in ensuring creators receive fair remuneration for their work.
Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, Executive Director-CNC, noted that copyright is a cornerstone of cultural preservation and economic development. He emphasised that the copyright sector was the eighth-largest contributor to Ghana’s GDP in 2016, with industries in the press and literature category accounting for 71 to 83 percent of the core copyright industry’s value-added during the study period.
Acheampong reiterated CNC’s commitment to fostering a thriving creative environment by strengthening legal frameworks for copyright protection and enforcement.
Regional Director-CNC, Mr. Abubakari Iddrisu Saeed, discussed the dual impact of internet and digital platforms on creators. While these platforms offer creators opportunities to reach global audiences, they also pose challenges to copyright protection. He advocated for collective licencing as a practical solution to ensure creators are fairly compensated while making it easier for users to access and utilise creative works.
Participants at the workshop expressed gratitude for the training, recognising that it will encourage younger generations to explore careers in the creative industries and contribute to Ghana’s cultural and economic development.
The workshop underscored a need for ongoing collaboration in shaping the future of intellectual property management in Ghana, ensuring that creators are empowered, cultural heritage is protected and the nation is well-positioned in the digital transformation era.
