The Law Faculty of Zenith University College in Accra has marked a historic milestone with the successful organization of a one-day practical educational excursion to the Ghana Copyright Office and the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO).
The initiative, spearheaded by Private Legal Practitioner and Intellectual Property (IP) Lecturer at Zenith University College, Mr. David Olaga—was designed to deepen students’ practical understanding of IP law at the Level 300 stage of their study and bridge the persistent gap between theory and real-world practice.
The educational tour, held recently formed part of the institution’s commitment to advancing legal education through hands-on learning experiences.
It exposed students to the works, structures, and administrative mechanisms behind Ghana’s copyright regime, enlightening them on both its benefits and challenges, especially in the digital age.
As part of the communications strategy, the students appeared and featured on Obonu TV, Radio Gold, GhOne TV and Obonu Fm to promote the event.
Explaining the motivation for the exercise, Mr. Olaga highlighted the need for students to experience the practical realities that shape the enforcement and application of IP rights in Ghana. “
As a lecturer of intellectual property, I realized that there’s a disconnect between the classroom experience and practice out there, so the educational tour was organized to bridge the gap between theory and practice,” he said.
He further emphasized that the tour was intended to enhance academic performance and foster deeper engagement with the subject.
“It seeks to enrich the classroom experience, promote practical understanding, and develop students’ interest in the subject. Ultimately, the goal is to equip future lawyers with the requisite knowledge, skills, and appreciation of IP law to function as critical thinkers in the legal world,” he added.
Copyright Office Rolls Out Full Mandate to Students
During the visit, students were welcomed by Mr. William Akwetey Bonsu, Principal State Attorney and Head of the Ghana Copyright Office, who delivered a detailed presentation on the significance, structure, and operations of intellectual property systems worldwide and in Ghana.
He noted that Intellectual Property (IP) is the engine driving global innovation, creativity, and socio-economic progress, observing that everything—from medicines, electronics, fashion, appliances, literature, and entertainment—has intellectual property at its core.
He further explained the two major pillars of IP: Industrial Property and Copyright & Related Rights.
Mr. Bonsu also walked students through the functions of the Ghana Copyright Office, including public education, anticounterfeiting operations, advisory services, official searches, dispute settlement, and collective management frameworks.
He highlighted current enforcement challenges posed by digital piracy, as well as new initiatives such as WIPO’s continental project on online copyright piracy and the planned transition toward a digital copyright registration system with QR-coded certificates.
GHAMRO Educates Students on Collective Management
At GHAMRO, officials educated the law students on collective management, licensing systems, royalty distribution, and compliance oversight.
Students were taken through the history of collective rights administration in Ghana, from the era of COSGA to the emergence of specialized CMOs such as GHAMRO, ARSOG, and CopyGhana.
The engagement offered students a rare opportunity to interact directly with practitioners at the heart of copyright management, gaining deeper insight into the operational challenges and future prospects of IP administration in Ghana.
Registrar Commends Initiative — A First in the Faculty’s History
Registrar of Zenith University College, Alhaji Nasaru Abdul-Rahaman, lauded Mr. Olaga for taking a bold and unprecedented step to elevate the academic experience of law students. He described the excursion as a “transformational model” for legal education at Zenith.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdul-Rahaman stated: “This initiative is truly groundbreaking for our Law Faculty. For the first time, our students are experiencing a practical interface with intellectual property institutions that shape legal practice in Ghana.
....What Mr. Olaga has done sets a new benchmark for how legal education should be delivered in private and public law faculties across the country.”
He continued, “At Zenith University College, we pride ourselves on academic innovation and excellence, and this excursion reflects our commitment to grooming exceptional legal professionals.
We will continue to support such initiatives because they enrich student learning, promote professional readiness, and bridge the gap between academic theory and the realities of Ghana’s legal landscape.”
A Tradition of Excellence at Zenith University College
The excursion also highlighted the longstanding legacy of the Zenith Faculty of Law, which holds a distinguished place in Ghana’s legal education history.
Established as Ghana’s first private institution to run the University of London LL.B. programme (2005–2019), Zenith produced over 2,000 law graduates during that period.
Since the launch of its Ghana-related LL.B. programme in 2018, run in affiliation with the University of Cape Coast and accredited by GTEC and the General Legal Council, the faculty has continued to excel.
In 2025, for example, 41 out of 73 Zenith candidates passed the Ghana Law School entrance exams—one of the highest success rates recorded among private law faculties.
The faculty also boasts a growing and vibrant alumni network influencing law, business, academia, and governance.
A New Path for Practical Legal Training
The successful excursion has set a new precedent for IP education at Zenith University College.
Some of the students expressed excitement over the experience, describing it as a vital step toward demystifying the abstract nature of IP laws and helping them appreciate emerging issues in the modern digital and creative economy.
This is what Francisca Iddisa, a student had to say:
"The tour has deepened my understanding of intellectual property law. Even though the lecturer makes the course practical, the exposure has now positioned me for the bigger task ahead. I am extremely grateful."
Kwaning Atta Marfo also had this to share from his personal experience:
"It was fascinating and I gained empirical exposure with respect to Intellectual property law. This will enhance my academic prowess to the legal education."
In a remark, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Nana Yaa Serwaah Agyemang, expressed her profound gratitude to the entire management of the school, IP Lecturer David Olaga, the tour delegation and her team mates for making the event very successful.
She also shared some personal experiences.
"The visit to GHAMRO and the Copyright Office has helped me understand how laws protect creators and how rights are managed and enforced in Ghana.
It has also strengthened my awareness of the legal processes involved in copyright registration and enforcement."
Stakeholders at both the Copyright Office and GHAMRO encouraged the faculty to maintain such engagements and also explore broader aspects of IP, including technological enforcement, artificial intelligence policy, industrial property rights, and digital content regulation.
As Ghana continues to expand its creative and technological industries, initiatives like this represent timely investments in shaping future legal minds equipped for the demands of a knowledge-driven economy.
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