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Within the framework of WIPO’s assistance to Sierra Leone, a National Policy Forum on the Use of Intellectual Property for Technological Capacity Building, which served as a launching pad of the formulation of an Intellectual Property Development Plan (IPDP), was organized in Freetown, on April 7 and 8, 2011.
In order to conduct that process, WIPO engaged the services of Ms. Rose Mboya, Director, IP Division, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), along with Ms. Marisella Ouma, Former Executive Director, Kenya Copyright Board.
The assignment of the consultants was to conduct a Need Assessment Mission with a special focus on IP and Innovation for economic development with the view to elaborate an IPDP for Sierra Leone. In order to do so, it was requested that the consultants assess Sierra Leone IP system, identify weaknesses, constraints and opportunities and make concrete proposals on specific needs-oriented activities and projects with the aim of enhancing its capacity to create, protect and make strategic use of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and assets as a power tool for economic growth and development.
A draft report of the findings and recommendations following the need assessment was submitted for comments to the Office of Administrator and Registrar General (OARG) and the national stakeholders for its adoption. However, due to the outbreak of the Ebola virus, WIPO missions to Sierra Leone were suspended. On March 17, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO), declared the end of Ebola virus disease in the country.
With the end of the Ebola epidemic, it is proposed that a WIPO mission be organized in order to include all the progress made in the area of IP legislation and IP institutional environment since the drafting of the document dates back in 2012, as well as undertake a new evaluation of the IP status, challenges and opportunities in Sierra Leone. The findings of this evaluation process will serve as a brid |