The short answer
A Ghanaian trademark is registered for 10 years from the filing date and renewed for consecutive 10-year periods, with a 6-month grace period for late renewal. A mark can be removed after 5 continuous years without use. An applicant based outside Ghana must be represented by a legal practitioner resident and practising in Ghana. The opposition period is set in the Regulations.
Trademark deadlines in Ghana at a glance
These rules come from the Trade Marks Act, 2004 (Act 664), English text hosted by ARIPO. Act 664 was amended by the Trademarks (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 876), which added a schedule for international registration. The Regulations set the detailed time limits and fees, so we confirm them before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years, renewable for consecutive periods of 10 years (sections 10 and 11). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The filing date of the application for registration (section 10). |
| When can I renew? | Renew on payment of the prescribed fee for consecutive 10-year periods (section 11(1)). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. A grace period of 6 months is allowed for late payment of the renewal fee, with the prescribed surcharge (section 11(2)). |
| Opposition period | An interested person can file a notice of opposition within the prescribed period and in the prescribed manner. The applicant files a counter-statement within the prescribed period, or the application is deemed abandoned (section 6). We confirm the current period in the Regulations. |
| Priority claim | The application may claim the priority of an earlier national or regional application in a Paris Convention state or a WTO member, as provided in Article 4 of the Paris Convention (section on priority). The Registrar may ask for a certified copy within the prescribed time. |
| Non-use | A mark can be removed from the register if, up to one month before the application, it had not been used by the owner or a licensee for a continuous period of 5 years or longer. It stays if special circumstances prevented use and there was no intention to abandon it (section 14). |
| Assignment | A change in ownership must be in writing and filed with the Registrar, who records and publishes it. A third party is not affected by a change of ownership until it is recorded (section 15). |
| Invalidation | The High Court invalidates a registration if the requirements of the Act were not met, or if the mark has become the common name in the trade through the owner's acts or inactivity (section 12). |
Who can register a trademark in Ghana
Individuals and companies from any country can apply to the Trade Mark Registry at the Registrar-General's Department in Accra.
Representation. If the ordinary residence or principal place of business of the applicant is outside Ghana, the applicant must be represented by a legal practitioner resident and practising in Ghana (section 17).
Trademark registration process in Ghana
Search
- Search the Registrar-General's Department (Trade Mark Registry) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the Registrar-General's Department (Trade Mark Registry), through a Ghanaian legal practitioner.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- Any interested person can oppose within the prescribed period. The applicant answers with a counter-statement, or the application is deemed abandoned (section 6).
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the Registrar-General's Department (Trade Mark Registry) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Ghana trademark validity and renewal
- The term is 10 years from the filing date.
- Each renewal is for a further 10 years.
- A 6-month grace period applies to late renewal, with a surcharge.
- Keep your legal practitioner's address current so notices reach you.
Diarise the expiry date from the date stated on your certificate and renew early.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Ghanaian trademark
Assignment
Change in ownership
Must be in writing and filed with the Registrar, who records and publishes it. Third parties are not affected until it is recorded (section 15).
Collective marks
Ownership of collective marks
Changes in ownership of a collective mark follow the same filing rule (section 15).
Invalidation
Court action
The High Court can invalidate a registration on the grounds in section 12.
Name or address
Change of the owner's details
Record the change so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address.
Non-use and cancellation of a Ghanaian trademark
Under section 14, a mark can be removed from the register if it was not used by the owner or a licensee for the registered goods or services for a continuous period of 5 years or longer, counted up to one month before the application. Special circumstances that prevented use, without intention to abandon, can save the mark.
Keep dated proof of use in Ghana: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Ghana
Search the Trade Mark Registry records and the published notices, and check the registration and renewal dates. Ask us to run the search for you.
Sources used
- Trade Marks Act, 2004 (Act 664), English text hosted by ARIPO: sections 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 17.
- Trademarks (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 876) on WIPO Lex, and the Registrar-General's Department for the register, Regulations and fees.
Ghana trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Ghana, and from when?
10 years, renewable for consecutive periods of 10 years (sections 10 and 11). It counts from the filing date of the application (section 10).
When should I renew a Ghanaian trademark, and is there a grace period?
Renew on payment of the prescribed fee for consecutive 10-year periods (section 11(1)).
What is the opposition period in Ghana?
An interested person can file a notice of opposition within the prescribed period and in the prescribed manner. The applicant files a counter-statement within the prescribed period, or the application is deemed abandoned (section 6). We confirm the current period in the Regulations.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Ghana?
The official fee is set by the Registrar-General's Department (Trade Mark Registry) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Ghana?
Yes, but an applicant whose ordinary residence or principal place of business is outside Ghana must be represented by a legal practitioner resident and practising in Ghana (section 17).
Can I assign a Ghanaian trademark?
A change in ownership must be in writing and filed with the Registrar, who records and publishes it. A third party is not affected by a change of ownership until it is recorded (section 15).
Can a Ghanaian trademark be cancelled for non-use?
A mark can be removed from the register if, up to one month before the application, it had not been used by the owner or a licensee for a continuous period of 5 years or longer. It stays if special circumstances prevented use and there was no intention to abandon it (section 14).
How can I check the status of a Ghanaian trademark?
Use the Registrar-General's Department (Trade Mark Registry) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
The application may claim the priority of an earlier national or regional application in a Paris Convention state or a WTO member, as provided in Article 4 of the Paris Convention (section on priority). The Registrar may ask for a certified copy within the prescribed time.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the Registrar-General's Department (Trade Mark Registry) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Ghana
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Ghanaian deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
