Government announces establishment of Arts Rights Court

In tandem with the objective of addressing specific needs of the creative industry, the government has announced the establishment of an Arts Rights Court.

The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, in a press statement announced that her ministry has engaged the Office of the Chief Justice to ensure the establishment of a specialised court to deal with issues of the industry.

“It is hereby announced that the Honourable Chief Justice has approved the establishment of a specialised court, as a division of the High Court to deal with copyright and other related matters pertaining to the Creative Arts industry,” the statement added.

It is expected that the court will expedite the resolution of specific issues that affect the creative industry.

This establishment of a Copyright Court for the arts industry was captured in the 2016 manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“The NPP will collaborate with the Chief Justice to create a Division of the High Court, focusing on the Creative Arts to deal with all matters relating to intellectual property rights, complete with a dedicated enforcement unit,” it says.