Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry
Ghana Employers Association (GEA) has called for the review of the country’s Copy Right Law (Act 690, 2005) to save many industries from collapsing in the country.
According to the Association, the review has become necessary because the current law does not provide punitive measures for individuals who steal or copy others’ inventions or creations.
Some businesses have observed that many industries have collapsed in Ghana, while others are on the verge of collapse due to the wanton activities of counterfeiters and pirates.
According to them, laws such as the Copyright Act 690, 2005; the Trade Marks Act 2004 and Industrial Design Act, 2003, among others, are not stringent enough to minimize or eradicate the practice in the country.
Charles Asante-Bempong, Director of Research and Projects of the GEA, who was speaking on at a Business Advocacy Programme sponsored by BUSAC Fund said, “The current law is not stringent enough to deter counterfeits and pirates from engaging in the counterfeiting business.”
Citing an instance, he said “with the current law when one is convicted, the copy right law says not less than 500 penalty units and not more than 1,000 penalty units. A penalty unit is GHC12 or a term of imprisonment not more than three years. We need to revise the law going forward.
Throwing more light on the effects of intellectual property right on businesses, Mr Asante-Bempong said, “People are not able to continue to innovate because they spend their time to innovate something and someone comes and steals it or copies and makes more money than the inventor. It does not encourage people to continue.”
Counterfeiting effects
Touching on counterfeiting, piracy and illicit trade, Mr. Asante-Bempong said that counterfeiting and piracy undermine the livelihood of creators and innovators, as well as millions of people working in intellectual property-related sectors.
“Increasing illegal trade activities, including counterfeiting on our market, are badly affecting the products of domestic producers, leading to significant loss of businesses and jobs, especially in the textile and pharmaceutical sectors,” he added.
Mr. Asante-Bempong stated that counterfeit products had affected the nation on different levels.
“The local textile manufacturers are suffering. Out of five, only two are currently in operation. They are even producing under capacity because of the activities of pirates.
Mr Asante-Bempong admitted that efforts were being made by all the institutions, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Standards Authority and the Attorney General Department, to address the menace.
However, he said more must be done to curb the menace and review the copy right law immediately.
Mr. Asante-Bempong also called on government to resource the Ghana Immigration Service and customs to enable them stop counterfeit goods from entering the country through the borders.
By Cephas Larbi
cephrok@yahoo.com