President Akufo-Addo has explained Ghana’s preparedness to support the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) especially as Ghana hands over the Secretariat building to the African Union (AU).
Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the African Free Trade Secretariat, the president stated that Ghana has fulfilled its obligation to the union.
“This is the first time in our 63 years of nationhood and 57 years of the founding Organization of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the AU, that we have the responsibility and privilege of hosting an important Pan-African institution. So today, is an auspicious day for Ghana and on behalf of the Ghanaian people and the government, I express our deep appreciation once again for the assembly of heads of states and government of the AU for its decision”.
“I assure that Ghana as caretaker of the Secretariat will put all the requisite facility at its disposal, so that it could run as a world class organization. Indeed as part of the hosting agreement, Ghana was requested by the assembly to work with the AU commission to ensure the expeditious and efficient process of establishing a permanent secretariat for the AFCFTA in Accra. Ghana has fully discharged all her obligations and commitment agreed with the AU commission”.
Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, also present at the event, indicated that the building block of the African community is establishing the free trade area for Africa.
“The case for an integrated market for Africa has never been in doubt in spite of the skepticism that has been associated with it. The most developed regions of the world are incidentally the regions with the highest level of market integration. Regrettably, Africa still remains the least integrated region in the world”.
“Less than 15 percent of Africa’s total trade occurs within the region. The paradox of Africa being the richest continent and yet the poorest could be partly attributed to this unfortunate situation”.
Mr. Kyerematen noted that the successful implementation of the AFCFTA will bring many benefits to the African continent, such as increase level in trade with harmonization and coordination of trade within the continent.
He also believed AFCFTA will add value to Africa’s abundant resources and promote economic diversification and industrialization.
The Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA), Wamkele Mene, had earlier in an interview presented his credentials to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which invariably gives him the purview to begin operations here at the Secretariat.
“I think the fact that Ghana has been awarded by the assembly of heads of states, the right to host one of the main flagship project of the African Union…speaks volumes about this country. The history of Pan-Africanism will be incomplete without Ghana at the vanguard, and so it is an absolute honor for me to be the first Secretary General in Accra –Ghana, consistent with that spirit of Pan-Africanism”.
