By Bill W. Cooper
The government, through the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will today hold a one-day policy conference as part of a national campaign to mark World Intellectual Property Day.
To be held under the theme: “The Role of Intellectual Property and the Creative Sector in Achieving the ARREST AGENDA Under Program Seven,” the conference is part of a broader, deliberate national effort by the Government to elevate the discourse around IP and its relevance to the national development strategy.
The six pillars of the ARREST Agenda—Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism—are all fundamentally linked to the protection and promotion of intellectual property.
It is often the silent engine propelling innovation in each of these sectors.
The conference will kick off with a National IP Policy Address by the Deputy Minister of State for Administration, Cornelia Kruah and thereby conclude with a panel discussion on how intellectual property is linked to the ARREST Agenda, among other critical issues.
As part of the nationwide celebration, the IP Week will culminate in a Musical Jamboree and IP Awareness Festival on April 26, 2025, at Invisible Park, as it will blend entertainment and education to raise awareness of IP rights through music, cultural performances, and community engagement.
Addressing a news conference yesterday, April 21, 2025, LIPO Director General, Garmai Koboi said, “In agriculture, intellectual property can elevate local products through branding and value addition.”
“While in education, it protects creators while encouraging knowledge-sharing.
In culture and tourism, it transforms artistic expressions into job-creating economic assets, and this year’s event will be special,” she noted.
DG Koboi added, “This is not just a celebration—it’s a strategic investment in fostering a culture of innovation, creativity, and respect for IP.
We believe Liberia’s future growth lies not only in its natural resources but in the protection and promotion of its intangible assets—creative works, technology, and cultural expressions.”
She further revealed that the conference, a historic undertaking, will convene top government officials, policymakers, development partners, and creative industry stakeholders around the table for the first time to discuss intellectual property.
