By Stella Odueme
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has convened regional meetings in Accra, Ghana, to strengthen copyright protection and facilitate the repatriation of cultural property to their countries of origin.
The meetings, organised through the Commission’s Directorate of Education, Science and Culture, took place from November 3 to 5, 2026.
They comprised the Validation Meeting of the Study on Private Copying Remuneration and the Meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Committee on the Repatriation of Cultural Property.
According to a statement on Thursday, the initiative is aimed at protecting creators and rights holders, supporting cultural and creative industries, and strengthening efforts to recover West Africa's cultural heritage.
The meetings were formally opened by Ghana's Minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, alongside the Director of Education, Science and Culture at the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Roland Kouakou.
Representatives of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) also participated.
During the sessions, experts reviewed and validated a study on developing a regional strategy for private copying and reprography remuneration across ECOWAS member states.
The Regional Committee, on its part, deliberated on measures for implementing the 2027–2031 Action Plan for the return of cultural property to its countries of origin.
ECOWAS said the initiatives formed part of its broader efforts to promote regional integration and development through arts and culture.