Sierra Leone joined the global community in commemorating World Intellectual Property Examiners Day with a high-level ceremony on Tuesday, 11th November, 2025 at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The event highlighted the pivotal role of Intellectual Property (IP) examiners in fostering innovation, protecting creativity and driving national economic growth.
Jointly organized by the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG) and the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the commemoration was held under the theme: “Celebrating and Empowering Intellectual Property Examiners.”
Presiding as Chairperson, ACP Johan Bull Kamara emphasized the growing significance of intellectual property in modern economies. “From the likelihood of confusion in the marketplace to the economic impact of infringement, Intellectual Property is not just about ownership; it is about opportunity, protection, innovation and national development,” she stated.
In her welcome address, Ms. Martina B. Egbenda, Administrator and Registrar General, commended the tireless work of IP examiners in ensuring that creativity and innovation receive the protection they deserve. She outlined Sierra Leone’s ongoing progress in strengthening its IP legal and institutional framework, noting vital support from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). Ms. Egbenda urged stakeholders to remain steadfast in fostering a system that fuels innovation, economic growth and sustainable development.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Justice, Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, hailed IP examiners as the “guardians of innovation and integrity.” She underscored the need for sustained capacity building to empower IP professionals with advanced knowledge, modern tools and technological resources. “Examiners must be equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic global economy,” she stressed.
Madam Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh further called for the integration of digital tools in IP administration, explaining that modernization would “streamline processes and position Sierra Leone as a leader in technological advancement.” She also advocated for a multi-stakeholder approach involving Government institutions, innovators, legal experts and the public to strengthen the national IP ecosystem.
“Our future depends on recognizing the strategic importance of intellectual property to unlock our creative potential and drive national development,” she concluded.
The event brought together Government officials, innovators, legal practitioners and development partners, all united in their call for a robust and inclusive intellectual property framework that safeguards creators’ rights, attracts investment and supports Sierra Leone’s aspirations for knowledge-driven economic transformation.
