Legal Basis:
Main law: Geographical Indications Act, 2003 (Act 659).
Regulations: Geographical Indications Regulations, 2020 (L.I. 2414).
What is a Geographical Indication / What is Protected:
A GI is an indication which identifies a good as originating in a country, region or locality where a given quality, reputation, or characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
Goods include agricultural products, natural products, handicraft or industrial products (e.g. Kente cloth).
On 30th September 2025, Ghana officially registered Kente as its first Geographical Indication, marking a historic milestone in recognizing and protecting Ghana’s cultural and artisanal heritage internationally.
Who Can Apply / Rights Holders
Applicants can be producers in the geographic area specified, groups of producers, or competent authorities.
If the applicant resides outside Ghana, they must appoint a legal practitioner resident in Ghana.
Registration & Examination Process
Application must be filed with the Registrar.
Application must include: applicant’s details, the indication, the goods, geographical area, and quality/reputation/characteristics tied to origin; plus payment of prescribed fee.
Registrar examines the application for compliance.
Application is published; interested parties may oppose within a prescribed period.
Exclusions & Limitations
Excluded if not meeting the GI definition (no link between quality/reputation and geographic origin).
Excluded if contrary to public order or morality.
Excluded if not protected in country of origin or if fallen into disuse.
Rights and Enforcement
Protection exists even without registration, but registration creates a presumption of validity.
Civil actions may be brought in High Court to prevent misleading use or unfair competition.
Offences include misuse of GI or misleading presentation, with prescribed penalties.
