Registrar-General signs Landmark Patent Agreement with United States

The Registrar-General of Ghana and Head of the Ghana Industrial Property Office (GHIPO), Mrs Grace Ama Issahaque, has signed a landmark Accelerated Patent Grant (APG) Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to strengthen cooperation in intellectual property administration and improve the efficiency of patent processing in Ghana.

The agreement was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, during a meeting between Mrs Issahaque and the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Mr John A. Squires.

The Accelerated Patent Grant Agreement establishes a framework that enables applicants who have already obtained a patent from the USPTO to request an accelerated grant of a corresponding patent application in Ghana, based on the examination already conducted by the United States Patent Office.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of Ghana’s patent examination process by reducing processing time while maintaining the country’s intellectual property standards in accordance with the Patent Act and its accompanying regulations.

The agreement also reinforces the Registrar-General’s Department’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s intellectual property regime and creating a more efficient and investor-friendly environment that supports innovation, technological advancement and economic growth.

The signing represents a major milestone in Ghana’s intellectual property landscape, as it is the tenth Accelerated Patent Grant Agreement concluded by the USPTO and the first such agreement with an African country.

The development highlights Ghana’s growing international recognition as a trusted partner in intellectual property administration and underscores the Registrar-General’s efforts to position the country as a leading destination for innovation and investment on the continent.

The partnership is also expected to deepen collaboration between Ghana and the United States in the area of intellectual property protection while enhancing the capacity of the Ghana Industrial Property Office to provide faster and more efficient patent services to inventors, researchers, and businesses.

Judith Twumwaa, ISD