CID Boss Meets Apple, Unilever Teams Over Rising Counterfeit Threat in Ghana

The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, has held a meeting with representatives of Apple, Unilever and J.O Global to strengthen Ghana’s fight against counterfeiting and transnational intellectual property crimes.

Disclosing the engagement in a Facebook post, COP Donkor said the meeting at the CID Headquarters in Accra focused on enhancing the forensic, investigative and intelligence-sharing capabilities of the CID.

According to her, intellectual property crime goes beyond the illegal use of trademarks and the sale of counterfeit products, forming part of transnational organised crime involving sophisticated networks engaged in fraud, illegal trade, smuggling and other related offences.

“These networks often operate locally and across borders, making effective investigations dependent on specialised forensic expertise, credible intelligence and strong cooperation between law enforcement and rights holders,” she noted.

COP Donkor warned of the public safety risks associated with counterfeit products, stating that fake medicines can endanger lives, counterfeit electrical products can cause fires and injuries, and unsafe cosmetics can expose consumers to harmful substances.

She added that the CID continues to deepen collaboration with regulatory institutions, law enforcement agencies, rights holders and international partners to disrupt illegal distribution networks and strengthen Ghana’s response to intellectual property crimes.

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