Monrovia, Liberia—In an unprecedented move to foster intellectual property (IP) awareness among Liberian youth, the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) held its inaugural National Intellectual Property High School Club Competition at Monrovia City Hall. The event, attended by high-profile dignitaries, educators, and students, celebrated the achievements of five competing high schools and underscored the nation’s commitment to supporting youth-driven innovation and intellectual property rights.
LIPO Director General Hon. Garmai Koboi opened the ceremony with a heartfelt message, praising the dedication of participating students and the commitment of their schools. “Today marks a significant milestone in the Government of Liberia’s efforts toward fostering innovation, creativity, and respect for intellectual property rights among the young minds of Liberia,” said Koboi. She congratulated the winners and runners-up, who received prizes of LRD 190,000, LRD 133,000, and LRD 95,000 respectively, and encouraged them to continue developing their creative projects. Hon. Koboi emphasized that this initiative aligns with President Joseph Boakai’s vision to equip the nation’s youth with the skills and knowledge needed for Liberia’s sustainable development.
Representing the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, Deputy Minister Daniel O. Sando delivered remarks on behalf of Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah. Sando lauded LIPO’s leadership in introducing the program, stating that intellectual property education is essential in a rapidly changing world. “Students with hidden talents tend to create products but are often unaware of their rights. Teaching IP in schools will help students understand the value of creative works and respect others’ rights,” Sando noted. He advocated for integrating IP modules into Liberia’s school curriculum, and he shared the Ministry’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with LIPO and other educational stakeholders.
Hon. Clarence H. Cole, LIPO’s Deputy Director for Copyright, provided an overview of the 2024 edition of the WIPO-ARIPO IP Club Project. Implemented in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), with funding from the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the project aims to empower youth between 13 and 18 to understand and respect intellectual property rights. He highlighted that ten teachers from five high schools were trained in IP management and tasked with establishing IP clubs on their campuses. The success of these clubs culminated in the National IP Club Competition, where the students showcased projects centered on copyright and the role of IP in development.
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized the critical role of intellectual property in Liberia’s development, noting that fostering respect for creative rights not only benefits individuals but also strengthens the nation’s cultural and economic future. Koboi expressed deep gratitude to sponsors WIPO and ARIPO for their commitment to Liberia’s IP education, while Cole encouraged continued engagement to expand the IP Club program to more schools across Liberia.
As Liberia moves toward ratifying international IP treaties, the IP Club Competition reflects the country’s growing alignment with global standards. The competition winner will represent Liberia at a regional contest in Zimbabwe next month, a testament to the nation’s emerging role in the international IP community.
William V. S. Tubman High School celebrates with their symbolic $1,000 check after winning Liberia’s inaugural Spiritan Academy and Maretha Preparatory High School, proud first and second runners-up, display their awards of $700 and $500, respectively…
