"Intellectual property is a vital component of youth empowerment,” - Youth Development and Empowerment Minister

The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Mr. Daren Tang, on Thursday, November 20, 2025, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare Addo, to explore deeper collaboration aimed at advancing youth development in Ghana and across Africa.

Welcoming the WIPO delegation, Hon. Opare Addo underscored the rationale behind establishing the new ministry, explaining that it was created to focus squarely on the needs, challenges, and aspirations of young people.

He stressed that intellectual property (IP) must play a central role in Ghana’s youth development agenda.

“Intellectual property is a vital component of youth empowerment,” he said, noting that the visit reinforced ongoing efforts to integrate IP education into national training programmes such as the National Apprenticeship and Adwumawura initiatives currently underway across the country.

Mr. Tang reaffirmed WIPO’s commitment to supporting innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among young people.

He highlighted intellectual property as a powerful tool for transforming ideas into impactful solutions and sustainable ventures capable of driving economic growth.

The Ministry expressed confidence that a strengthened partnership with WIPO would provide young Ghanaians with the skills, opportunities, and global exposure needed to thrive in a competitive digital economy.

Both parties agreed to deepen cooperation through training, mentorship opportunities, and platforms for young innovators to showcase their work internationally.

They further committed to rolling out joint programmes aimed at raising awareness of intellectual property rights among young entrepreneurs, supporting youth-led startups with IP protection strategies, and advancing knowledge-sharing and capacity building across the country.

The visit marked a significant step toward fortifying ties between Ghana and WIPO as both institutions work to empower the next generation to harness creativity and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith