Ghana vows to make ECOWAS trade liberalisation real
Ghana will continue to vigorously pursue the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) trade liberalization scheme to facilitate trade within the sub-region.
Under the scheme, about 22 Ghanaian industrial products have been given approval to enjoy the benefits of the scheme. Chris kpodo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said this yesterday at the launch of this year’s ‘Regional Integration Month’ in Accra.
The programme, under the theme ‘Understanding and appreciating regional integration,’ was organized by the Africa and Regional Integration Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to afford Ghanaians the opportunity to reflect on the status of the regional integration process and the opportunities it provides.
The month-long programme forms part of activities to commemorate the 49th anniversary celebration of African Union (A U) Day to be held under the theme: Boosting intra-Africa trade’, and the 37th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS Day on the theme: ‘Free movement-A vehicle boosting trade in the ECOWAS Region’ on May 25.
“Trade among Africans should be seen as a commercial drive to achieve our quest for meaningful regional which is also a powerful engine for economic growth,’’Mr Kpodo said, and raised concerns about the situation where at the regional level, intra-African trade had consistently remained low, with member countries doing an average of between 10 and 12 per cent of external trade among themselves.
Considering the lack of significant trade relations between African countries, in comparison to the situation in other regions, Mr Kpodo said the distance served as a wake-up call for Africa to take step to increase the current levels of intra- Affairs trade to be less dependent on international shocks, develop large markets and create jobs for her people.
Mr.kpodo stressed on the need to remove bottlenecks in the level of traffic flow along interstate corroders to enhance trade within the sub-region, even though ECOWAS had initiated programmes to address some of the challenges that affected trade on the road transit corridor.
Dr Kodzo Alabo, Director, Africa Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said Ghana’s aspirations and desire to boost intra- Africa trade was a shared responsibility and should receive the requisite attention and co-operation of all stakeholders focusing on regional integration.
He stressed government’s commitment and determination to consistently advance sustenance of the integration agenda of both the AU and ECOWAS.
Source: Ghanaian Times