Basket and hat weavers undergo GIs registration training

Leaders of basket and hats weavers associations in Bolgatanga, are undergoing a second phase training to equip them with skills to register the Geographical Indications (GIs) of their products. 

The training was via a virtual session and organized by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Justice. 

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr Gervase Kuuwaabong, the Coordinator for Swiss- Ghana Intellectual Property Project, said the initial training was to mobilize and introduce producers to the idea of GIs.   

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He said the producers showed interest after the training and took the decision to get their products registered. 

“So the second phase is to help them define their products and their uniqueness to consumers, which is key to the concept of GIs,” he indicated.   

Dr Kuuwaabong said the ongoing training would also see to it that, producers established active producer-organizations as well as a common code of practice to govern the production of their goods.   

Geographical Indication is a sign or name used on products that have a specific geographical origin, and possess qualities owing to that origin.   

It provides legal protection and enforcement of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) of producers and also safeguards consumers from substandard goods.   

Geographical indications are generally applied to traditional products, produced by marginal communities over generations, and have gained a reputation at local, national, or international markets due to their specific unique qualities.