Swiss Government Signs Agreement With Ghana

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The Government of Ghan yesterday, signed an agreement of $ 790,000 with the government of Switzerland to strengthen the administration of the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) as part of Ghana's Trade Policy Reforms under the Trade Sector Support Programme.

Signing on behalf of Ghana, the Minister for Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, stated that the agreement will provide technical assistance in developing an effective regime of intellectual property legislation and management in the country.

He observed that, the government recognises the importance of innovative ideas, design and creativity which contribute to social and economic growth.

Mr Ankomah noted that the protection of the IPR will further develop new technologies which will promote agriculture and industrial production, domestic and foreign investments as well as facilitate technology transfer and improve competitiveness.

He explained that, the project will support the replacement of the current paper-based system of Registrar General's Department with an electronic database, which will lead to an efficient system of storage and retrieval of data.

'The project will also support the Judicial Service in the training of their personnel especially in the area of intellectual subjects,' he added.

The Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency, Mr Nicolas Lang, said the project is to assist Ghana to design and implement a modern and well balanced system of IPRs that will improve the business environment, improve productivity, enhance investment and facilitate technology transfer.

'These improvements will further contribute to the achievements of Ghana's socio-economic development objective of accelerated growth and poverty reduction,' he disclosed.

He said, the signing of the agreement together with Switzerland's long-standing support to the general budget of the Government of Ghana coupled with Switzerland's efforts in private and trade promotions are proof of Switzerland's commitments to Ghana's development objectives.