The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened regional meetings in Accra, Ghana, to strengthen copyright protection, promote the creative industry and accelerate efforts towards the repatriation of cultural property to their countries of origin.
The meetings, organised through the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Education, Science and Culture, held from November 3 to 5, 2026.
The sessions comprised the Validation Meeting of the Study on Private Copying Remuneration and the Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Committee on the Repatriation of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin.
The initiative is aimed at protecting creators and rights holders, supporting cultural and creative industries, and strengthening efforts to recover West Africa’s cultural heritage.
The meetings were formally opened by Ghana’s Minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, alongside the Director of Education, Science and Culture at the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Roland Kouakou.
Representatives of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) also participated in the deliberations.
During the meetings, experts reviewed and validated a study on the development of a regional strategy for private copying and reprography remuneration across ECOWAS Member States.
The regional committee also deliberated on measures required to implement the 2027–2031 Action Plan for the return of cultural property to its countries of origin.
The initiative underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, safeguarding intellectual property rights and promoting cultural development as important instruments for regional integration and economic growth.
Through the twin engagements, the regional body seeks to advance policies that protect the interests of creative professionals while ensuring that West Africa’s cultural heritage is preserved and restored to its rightful owners.
