Liberia Intellectual Property Office

MARETHA INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL WINS NATIONAL FINAL OF ARIPO-WIPO IP CLUB COMPETITION

--- As defending champion William V.S. Tubman finishes first runner-up

Maretha International Preparatory High School has won the 2025/2026 National Final of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intellectual Property (IP) Club Competition, walking away with a US$1,000 cash prize.

The final, held Tuesday, March 17, by the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), brought together five secondary schools to demonstrate their knowledge of intellectual property concepts -- with particular focus on copyright and related rights -- and to explore the role IP plays in driving sustainable development.
William V.S. Tubman High School, which entered the competition as defending champion, finished as first runner-up, while St. Teresa Convent claimed second runner-up honors in a closely contested competition that showcased a growing depth of IP literacy among Liberian students. Both runners-up walked away with US$700 and US$500 respectively.

As the national winner, Maretha will represent Liberia at the ARIPO-WIPO IP Club Regional Championship in Harare, where the school will compete against schools from Ghana, Tanzania, and other participating African nations.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, head judge Jeremiah Joshua Kekula commended all the participating schools for their performances, noting that the competition was competitive, with each school mounting a strong defense for the title.

"What we witnessed today was young people demonstrating a genuine understanding of how intellectual property connects to creativity, innovation, and the future of their communities," Mr. Kekula said. "Each school stood out for their clarity of thought, the depth of their engagement with the subject matter, and the confidence with which they presented their arguments. They are well deserving of this honor, and we believe they will make Liberia proud in Harare. But as with every competition, there has to be one winner, and that winner is Maretha International Preparatory High School."

In remarks also, the Director General of LIPO, Hon. Garmai Koboi, described the national final as a milestone in Liberia's broader effort to build an IP-conscious generation -- designed to ensure that the next generation of Liberian entrepreneurs, artists, writers, and inventors enters the marketplace equipped with the knowledge of intellectual property and the benefits thereof.
According to Hon. Koboi, LIPO views the IP Club Competition as a cornerstone of its youth engagement strategy -- one designed to build toward an economy driven by innovation and creative enterprise -- as the future depends on young people who not only create but who understand their IP rights as creators.

"Today's competition is about more than trophies," Hon. Koboi said. "It is about planting seeds — seeds of awareness, of creativity, and of ownership. When young people understand intellectual property, they begin to see themselves differently. They begin to see their ideas, their artistry, and their innovations as things of value that deserve protection. Programs like this competition are how we make that future possible."

The IP Club Competition, coordinated regionally by ARIPO in partnership with WIPO, is designed to foster IP awareness among secondary school students across Africa, equipping them with foundational knowledge that supports both individual creative development and broader national development goals.

For media inquiries, contact LIPO Communication Officer Robin Dopoe at +231881132166 or [email protected]

🎉 Big News from LIPO!

The Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), in collaboration with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), is proud to announce the National Final of the Regional IP Club Competition!

🏆 Student innovators and creative minds from William V.S. Tubman High School, Maretha Preparatory High School, Spiritan Academy, St. Teresa Convent Catholic High School, and Muslim Congress High School will go head-to-head in this exciting national showdown — showcasing their knowledge of Intellectual Property and its powerful role in driving development.

This year's competition is themed:
"Intellectual Property and the Creative Industries: A Perfect Tool for Development"

Happy International Women's Day from LIPO! 🟣

Today, our staff joined other women from across the country for the celebration of International Women's Day at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, under our theme: "Protecting and Promoting Women's Creativities and Innovations Through Intellectual Property Rights to Drive National Development."

At LIPO, we say women are not just creators — they are innovators, inventors, and engines of national growth. As such, we remain committed to ensuring that every woman's idea, craft, and creative work is protected, valued, and celebrated.

To every woman in Liberia and beyond, your creativity matters. Your innovation matters. You matter.

Happy International Women's Day! 💜

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With Garmai Koboi, Director General, Liberia Intellectual Property Office – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers 🎉