Who Owns Your Work? Fashion Forum Africa and AGI tackle copyright, ownership and trade ahead of Alt.FFF 2026
Industry stakeholders across Ghana's fashion, textile, creative and manufacturing sectors have called for stronger intellectual property protection at a workshop jointly organised by Fashion Forum Africa and the Association of Ghana Industries.
The "Who Owns Your Work?" workshop, held at the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission in Accra on 3rd June 2026, formed part of lead-up activities toward the inaugural Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair scheduled for September 2026 in Accra.
The event brought together government institutions, regulatory bodies, industry associations, legal experts, academia, manufacturers, designers, artisans and development organisations. Key institutions represented included the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, UNESCO Ghana, the Copyright Office of Ghana, the National Folklore Board, the Registrar General's Department and the Ghana Culture Forum.
Deputy Minister: Protect originality and innovation
Honourable Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industries, emphasised the importance of strengthening legal and institutional awareness around intellectual property within Ghana's creative and manufacturing sectors. He noted that as Africa's fashion and textile industry continues to gain international attention, protecting originality, innovation and local value creation must remain a priority.
Honourable Ahi commended initiatives such as the Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair for creating platforms that connect fashion, manufacturing, trade and policy conversations. He described the initiative as a timely opportunity to deepen intra-African industry engagement while positioning Ghana as an important contributor within Africa's growing textile and creative economy.
Shift conversation beyond aesthetics
Makeba Boateng, Founder of Fashion Forum Africa and Lead Curator of Alt.FFF, highlighted the need to shift conversations beyond fashion aesthetics toward the source, ownership and value creation.
"Africa is receiving increasing global attention for its fashion industry, but we must also focus on the systems behind the industry. The materials, manufacturing, ownership, and trade. Alt.FFF is created to help connect those parts of the ecosystem while ensuring African creatives and producers better understand how to protect and benefit from the value they create," she said.
Industry collaboration and education
Edwina Assan, Sector Chair for Garment, Textile and Leather at AGI, underscored the importance of industry collaboration and education within the sector. She noted the growing need for more awareness around intellectual property and structured business practices within the garment and textile industry.
The workshop featured presentations and discussions led by Intellectual Property Consultant Dr Benjamin Oduro Arhin Jnr of BNOSKKA, as well as conversations around the importance of building stronger systems to protect African creativity, heritage, manufacturing and innovation.
UNESCO underscores IP as critical tool
The event was chaired by Carl Ampah, Professional Officer of the Culture Sector at the UNESCO Ghana Office, who underscored the importance of intellectual property as a critical tool for safeguarding cultural expression, creativity and innovation.
Alt.FFF 2026 in September
As a precursor to the Alternative Fashion Fabric Fair, the workshop was intentionally designed to equip stakeholders across the fashion and textile value chain with the knowledge and tools needed to participate more effectively in a rapidly evolving industry.
Taking place from 17th to 19th September 2026 at The Palms Convention Centre, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Alt.FFF will convene stakeholders across fibre, fabric, manufacturing, materials and trade. The fair seeks to drive greater collaboration, visibility and market access for African-made materials and products while contributing to the growth of a more connected and competitive fashion and textile industry across the continent.
According to the Alt.FFF website, the trade show will feature over 100 manufacturers from all sectors, represent 54 African countries, and attract more than 2,000 buyers from different sectors. The platform is designed to reposition materials at the centre of fashion thinking, highlighting African production at every stage of the supply chain.
Virtual participants from across Africa and the international community also attended the workshop, reflecting growing global interest in Africa's textile and creative economy. Organisers have encouraged interested exhibitors and participants to register through the Alt.FFF website.