CACIT, Ghana

CACIT Ghana News and Updates

Counterfeiting involves copying or imitating an industrial, artistic or literary work to the detriment of the author or inventor. It is an infringement on intellectual property rights. It is in this respect that we act safeguard and protect brands of manufacturers.

Current anti-counterfeit interventions in Ghana include;

Unilever/ Police/ CEPS/ Food and Drugs Board clamp down on Close- Up and imitation Omo from China.
CEPS and BAT Ltd collaboration to fight cigarette counterfeits
Kasapreko Ltd/ Police cooperation to combat imitated alcoholic beverages by local industries.
Copyright Society of Ghana’ implementation of several projects to provide security devices for musical productions to fight pirated works.
Local Textile Factories/ Police/ CEPS collaboration to prevent importation of imitated wax prints.

Many more interventions have been made possible through the National Taskforce formed to fight counterfeiting and piracy in Ghana.

Crusade Against Illicit Trade

CACIT Ghana in collaboration with Ghana Employers Association, has been able to solicit the support of EU and BizClim, to fund the First Mission Crusade Against Counterfeiting and Illicit Trade. This was held from 18th to 28th February 2008.

Consultant team made up of Teri Dunphy, James Quashie-Idun, Kwame and Amina Kagua. They took time to interact with the various regulatory agencies as well as the attorney General’s Department to review the current legal provisions on punitive measures on counterfeiters.

During that week long programme, an Open Forum was organized at the Kofi Annan Institute for Excellence in ICT. This was a plat form for manufacturers to share their experience with counterfeit and illicit trade with the consultants. This programme attracted over fifty participants and representatives from industry.

In another session, the consultant team met with representatives of TUC, Consumer Association and GUTA to discuss the problem.

News Snips

CEPS destroys cigarettes and drugs » June 15, 2008.

The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in the Northern Region on Saturday destroyed over 161 boxes of different brands of cigarettes and assorted pharmaceutical drugs valued over GHC 12.5 million. more...

CEPS Intercepts Uncustomed Wax Prints » June 20, 2008.

The Koforidua office of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has seized 1,151 pieces of African wax prints valued at GHC 26,824.87 at Akuse in the Eastern Region. The items, which were being smuggled from Mepe in the Volta Region through the Volta River, could have fetched a GHC 10,600 duty, representing 40 per cent of the value of the smuggled goods. A Benz bus with registration number ER 2610 C that was carrying the wax prints was also impounded. more...

FDB cautions residents against consumption of unwholesome foods » June 20, 2008.

AUTHORITIES of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) in Tamale have expressed concern over the growing trend in the sale of unwholesome goods in the metropolis. They have, therefore, advised consumers to always endeavour to check on the manufacture and expiry dates of products before purchasing them. The Northern Regional Zonal Officer of the FDB, Mr Solomon Agampim, reminded the people that the consumption of unwholesome goods and food items was dangerous to one's health, and cautioned them to be wary of such items in the system. more...