Level 300 law students of Zenith University College embark on intellectual property educational tour

The Law Faculty of Zenith University College has achieved a major academic milestone with the successful organisation of a one-day practical field trip to the Ghana Copyright Office and the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO).

The excursion, led by Private Legal Practitioner and Intellectual Property (IP) Lecturer Mr. David Olaga, was designed to give Level 300 law students an exposure to the practical workings of Ghana’s intellectual property ecosystem.

The initiative forms part of the faculty’s broader strategy to bridge the long-standing gap between theory taught in the classroom and the realities of legal practice in the field.

As part of the communication and outreach strategy, the students appeared on Obonu TV, Radio Gold, GhOne TV and Obonu FM to highlight the significance of the tour.

A Bridge Between Theory and Practice
Explaining the motivation behind the exercise, Mr. Olaga emphasised the need for experiential learning in IP studies.

“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 added that the trip was also intended to enhance academic engagement and stimulate deeper interest in IP law.

“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.”

Copyright Office Offers Full Insight
At the Ghana Copyright Office, the students were welcomed by Principal State Attorney and Head of the Office, Mr. William Akwetey Bonsu, who delivered an extensive presentation on the role of intellectual property in global and national development.

He explained that IP is the foundation of innovation and creativity worldwide, influencing sectors such as medicine, fashion, electronics, literature, and entertainment.

Mr. Bonsu also outlined the two key branches of IP—Industrial Property and Copyright & Related Rights—and took students through the mandate of the Copyright Office, including public education, anti-counterfeiting operations, dispute resolution, advisory services and collective management.

He touched on modern enforcement challenges, especially digital piracy, and highlighted new initiatives such as WIPO’s continental project on online piracy and the move toward digital copyright registration using QR-coded certificates.

GHAMRO Deepens Understanding of Collective Management

At GHAMRO, students received detailed briefings on collective management systems, licensing, royalty distribution and compliance structures. They also learned about the evolution of collective rights management in Ghana—from the COSGA era to new specialised organisations like GHAMRO, ARSOG and CopyGhana.

The session provided a rare opportunity to interact directly with professionals working at the core of copyright administration.

Registrar Applauds the ‘Transformational’ Initiative

Registrar of Zenith University College, Alhaji Nasaru Abdul-Rahaman, commended Mr. Olaga for spearheading what he described as a “transformational model” for legal education at Zenith.

“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,” he said.

He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting such experiential learning opportunities to ensure graduates are professionally prepared for Ghana’s evolving legal landscape.

Zenith’s Distinguished Legacy in Legal Education

The tour also reaffirmed the Zenith Faculty of Law’s reputation for academic excellence.

Zenith was the first private institution in Ghana to run the University of London LL.B programme (2005–2019), producing more than 2,000 graduates. Since launching its Ghana-related LL.B programme in 2018, the faculty continues to excel—recording 41 passes out of 73 candidates in the 2025 Ghana School of Law entrance exams, one of the strongest performances among private law faculties.

The alumni network remains active and influential across the legal, business, governance and academic sectors.

Students Share Their Experiences
For many students, the excursion was a defining moment in their study of intellectual property law.

Francisca Iddisa noted: “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 added: “It was fascinating, and I gained empirical exposure to intellectual property law. This will enhance my academic prowess and enrich my legal education.”

Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Nana Yaa Serwaah Agyemang, expressed gratitude to the university’s management, the lecturer and her team, reflecting on her personal insights:

“The visit to GHAMRO and the Copyright Office has helped me understand how laws protect creators and how rights are managed and enforced. It has strengthened my awareness of copyright processes in Ghana.”

A New Standard for Practical Legal Training

Stakeholders at both institutions urged the university to make such tours a regular feature of legal training, noting the importance of emerging areas such as AI policy, technological enforcement, industrial property and digital content regulation.

As Ghana expands its creative and digital industries, initiatives like this provide timely investments in preparing the next generation of lawyers for a knowledge-driven economy.

The excursion has now set a new benchmark for intellectual property education at Zenith University College — merging classroom theory with real-world practice to shape confident, competent and forward-thinking legal professionals.