USPTO signs historic patent partnership with Ghana

Ghana has become the first African country to enter into an Accelerated Patent Grant (APG) partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), marking a major milestone in intellectual property cooperation between the two nations.

The statement of intent was signed on July 9 in Geneva, Switzerland, during the annual meetings of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). USPTO Director and Under Secretary of Commerce John A. Squires signed the agreement alongside Ghana’s Registrar-General, Grace Issahaque, representing the Registrar General’s Department under the Ministry of Justice (GHIPO). It is the 10th APG agreement the USPTO has concluded with a foreign intellectual property office and its first with an African nation.

The new arrangement will allow eligible holders of U.S. patents to request accelerated approval of corresponding patent applications pending before GHIPO. The work-sharing framework is expected to remain in force for five years, with GHIPO set to publish detailed implementation guidelines outlining eligibility requirements and application procedures.

The agreement comes as Ghana continues to emerge as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, with a gross domestic product estimated at $114 billion in 2025. According to data from the World Intellectual Property Organization, U.S.-based applicants accounted for 33% of all foreign patent applications filed in Ghana in 2024, underscoring the growing commercial ties between the two countries.

Commenting on the partnership, Squires said the agreement reflects the USPTO’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with intellectual property offices across Africa. He noted that the initiative builds on the agency’s broader engagement on the continent, including the appointment last year of its first intellectual property attaché for Africa, Katherine Hiner, who is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Following the signing ceremony, Squires addressed the “IP for Growth Initiative,” a side event at the WIPO Assemblies hosted by the U.S. Mission and Universal Music Group. He emphasized that strong copyright systems not only ensure established artists receive fair compensation for their work but also create opportunities for emerging musicians and creators seeking to grow their careers in domestic and international markets.

Later the same day, Hiner participated in a livestreamed panel discussion and musical performance featuring African artists and American singer John Legend. During the event, she stressed the importance of consistent intellectual property protection across borders, highlighting the need for well-trained personnel, modern equipment, effective procedures and continued engagement with rights holders to support innovation and creativity.

Written by Oral Ofori for TheAfricanDream®