Accra , Ghana – Represented at the opening ceremony by the Head of the International Cooperation Department, Mercy Masok Asima, and at the invitation of Bemanya Twebaze , Director General of ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization), OAPI ( African Intellectual Property Organization) is participating in the 49th Session of the ARIPO Governing Council. This strategic meeting reaffirms the importance of the dynamic cooperation between the two institutions, with a common objective: to promote innovation and support economic development in Africa through intellectual property (IP) .
In 2025, several joint actions were carried out by OAPI and ARIPO, including the holding of the 8th OAPI-ARIPO Joint Commission in Yaoundé from March 12 to 13 and high-level exchanges with the Ambassadors of their respective Member States, during the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) General Assemblies
Initiatives promoting continued synergy between the two institutions to increase African influence in global IP governance were welcomed and strongly encouraged by diplomatic representatives.
At the official opening of the session, the Honorable Dominic Akuritinga Ayine , Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Ghana, recalled the strategic importance of IP :
“Intellectual property is a key driver of innovation. We need to build a robust system to transform ideas into tangible value. IP must be understood and valued by all of society to ensure sustainable growth.”
This session provides an opportunity to consolidate technical and legal cooperation between the two systems, facilitate mutual recognition of IP titles and promote a harmonized approach for the benefit of Member States.
