A strategic collaboration between Ghana’s Criminal Investigations Department and Apple Inc. is underway to combat the rising influx of counterfeit Apple products in the local market.
The delegation, led by Collin Denyer, engaged Ghanaian authorities on strategies to strengthen trademark enforcement, brand protection, and consumer safety amid rising concerns over fake Apple devices and accessories in the local market.
Director-General of the The Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, emphasized the seriousness of the issue. “The growing threat of counterfeit Apple products is deeply concerning. These fake devices and accessories are often used to deceive the public and, in some cases, cause harm to users,” she stated.
According to her, the CID is actively pursuing multiple investigations involving fraudulent use of trademarks and the distribution of counterfeit goods across the country. “We are actively pursuing leads on major investigations involving the use of fraudulent trademarks and the distribution of counterfeit products used to deceive and defraud the good citizens of Ghana,” Donkor said.
She further noted that such illicit activities not only undermine legitimate businesses but also expose consumers to significant risks while fuelling organised criminal networks. “These activities undermine legitimate businesses, expose consumers to risk, and fuel organised criminal networks,” she added.
The collaboration between the CID and Apple is expected to significantly enhance enforcement outcomes through intelligence sharing and technical support. “This collaboration strengthens intelligence sharing, supports technical verification of products, and enhances our ability to identify and dismantle networks involved in counterfeit trade,” she explained.
Donkor emphasised the CID’s commitment to prioritising consumer protection and law enforcement in this area. She noted that safeguarding consumers, upholding intellectual property laws, and tackling criminal networks remain central to the Department’s mandate.
As global brands expand their footprint in emerging markets like Ghana, partnerships between multinational corporations and local law enforcement agencies are becoming critical in tackling counterfeit trade and preserving market integrity.
