ECOWAS convened two parallel meetings in Accra from 3 to 5 November 2026, one validating a study on private copying remuneration, the other advancing measures for return of cultural property to countries of origin.
Both opened at a joint ceremony, according to a report from the Economic Community of West African States.
The meetings were organised through the ECOWAS Directorate of Education, Science and Culture. Ghana’s Minister responsible for Tourism, Culture and the Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, delivered the opening remarks and formally declared the meetings open.
Dr. Roland Kouakou, Director of Education, Science and Culture at the ECOWAS Commission, gave a welcome address.
Regional and technical partners took part in the opening programme.
The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) was represented by Dr. Koné Donikpo, its Director of Culture and Tourism, and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by Mr. Aziz Dieng. The programme also acknowledged WIPO’s continued technical support.
The technical sessions on private copying remuneration were chaired by Mr. Gueladio Sow of Senegal. They reviewed the study setting out a regional strategy for implementing remuneration for private copying and reprography in ECOWAS member states.
The exercise sought stakeholder validation of the study report and a coordinated regional approach to these remuneration mechanisms.
The Regional Committee meeting was chaired by Dr. Memel Epse Kassi Yooul Silvie of Côte d’Ivoire.
Its deliberations focused on developing the measures and processes needed to implement the 2027–2031 Action Plan for the return of cultural property to its countries of origin.
Private copying remuneration is a mechanism under which rights holders are compensated for reproductions of their work made by consumers for personal use, and reprography refers to the copying of printed material.
The ECOWAS Commission said it remains committed to initiatives that protect creators, strengthen cultural bonds and support the recovery of cultural heritage, while promoting regional integration and development through the arts and culture.
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