More than 70 musicians, producers, music entrepreneurs, policymakers, copyright experts and creative industry leaders from 17 African and Caribbean countries gathered in Accra, Ghana, for the Cross-Regional Forum on Intellectual Property (IP) and Music: Afro-Caribbean Creative Bridge. The Forum was an initiative jointly organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, the Registrar-General's Department of Ghana, and the Ghana Copyright Office, to connect creators across regions linked by shared histories, cultures and musical traditions.
The Forum, which was held from September 21 to 23, 2026, was a meeting point for creators seeking to better understand the business of music, protect their work, expand their networks and explore new opportunities in an increasingly global industry.
During the opening ceremony, Ghana's Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, highlighted the importance of strengthening cultural, creative and economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean and welcomed the opportunity to bring together creators whose histories and cultural traditions are deeply connected.
Music, Rights and Opportunity
Over three days, participants explored topics ranging from copyright, licensing and royalty distribution to music publishing, digital distribution, collective management and creative entrepreneurship. Discussions focused on practical ways artists can build sustainable careers, protect their rights and create value from their work in an increasingly global music industry.
The Forum also introduced participants to several WIPO initiatives designed to support creators, including WIPO Connect, CLIP and WIPO FACE, alongside broader programs that help creative entrepreneurs navigate today's evolving music landscape.
Four-time Grammy nominated Ghanaian musician Rocky Dawuni, shared his personal journey and insights on the importance of understanding rights and managing IP throughout an artist's career. Gramps Morgan, the Grammy Award winning international reggae artist of Morgan Heritage and acclaimed solo performer, reflected on creativity, resilience and the value of collaboration in a changing industry.
A Jam Session to Remember
At PlayHouse Studio in Accra, artists from Africa and the Caribbean stepped into a creative space designed for collaboration. Working side by side, they wrote, composed and recorded two original Afro-Caribbean songs, blending rhythms, languages, experiences and influences from across both regions.
The sessions demonstrated that IP protects creativity and creates the conditions for collaboration, ensuring that creators work together with clarity, trust and shared opportunity.
Participants identified several areas for continued cooperation, including creator education, rights management, collective management, dispute resolution, digital platforms and music business development.
