Filing the Application
Submit the patent application with the required fees, including:
A detailed description of the invention
Claims defining the scope of protection
An abstract and drawings (if applicable)
Acknowledgment & Filing Date
The Patent Registry assigns a filing date and application number upon receipt.
Power of Attorney (If Applicable)
Foreign applicants or entities must submit a Power of Attorney for representation in Ghana.
Formality Examination
The Patent Registry reviews the application to ensure all formal requirements (documents, fees, and information) are complete.
Search & Substantive Examination
A prior art search and substantive examination assess whether the invention meets patentability criteria (novelty, inventive step, industrial applicability).
Approval or Refusal
If rejected: The application is refused if it fails to meet legal requirements under the Patents Act, 2003 (Act 657).
If approved, the patent is granted for inventions that fulfill the patentability criteria.
Publication in the Industrial & Commercial Bulletin
The approved patent is published in Ghana’s official Industrial and Commercial Bulletin for public notice.
Patent Certificate Issuance
A certificate of grant is issued upon successful registration.
Annual Maintenance Fees
To keep the patent or application active, the applicant must pay annual fees in advance, starting one year after the filing date.
Key Notes:
Timeline: The entire process typically takes 2–4 years, depending on examination delays.
Validity: Patents last 20 years (subject to annual fee payments).
Foreign Applicants: Must
work through a registered Ghanaian agent.
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