We need to put infrastructure that allows Ghanaian businesses to take advantage AfCFTA- Deputy Trade Minister

Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Robert Ahomka-Lindsay has expressed government’s intent in facilitating requisite infrastructure in empowering indigenous businesses to harness the benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Speaking at a conference in Kumasi on the theme: “Empowering Ghanaian Businesses to harness the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement under the framework of the National Export Development Strategy”, Mr. Ahomka-Lindsay noted that, this is to help these businesses aptly represent the country and strategically position themselves in discourse on the free trade area.

Additionally, he stated that, although there has been a surge in our export metrics, more needs to be done in that department.

 “We will empower Ghanaian businesses to harness the benefit of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement under the framework of the National Export Strategy. We want you to know what you need to do to take full advantage for your business in all the fifty-four African countries that are part of AfCFTA.  We know we have opportunities, skill sets and various businesses that have the potential, but we need to put infrastructure that allows us to take advantage of that and what the National Export Development Authority is doing.

 “Currently we are exporting about 1.4 billion dollars and although we are growing in terms of export from Ghana, to the continent of about 10 percent per year, more needs to be done because the opportunities are huge”.

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr. Afua Asabea Asare, on her part highlighted her outfit’s proposal for a one district one factory program to provide the needed raw materials to feed existing factories to boost export.

According to her, government had embarked on an aggressive industrialization agenda which saw the establishment of several manufacturing companies under Government’s flagship 1D1F programme.

“It is expected in Ghana that each district should develop at least one exportable product that will provide the needed raw materials to feed the expanding number of factories being established under GEPAs suggested one district, one product program. I will like to assure the good people of Ashanti Region that the doors of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority are wide open for business men and women and exporters in the region”.

Dr. Asabea Asare further intimated that, GEPA was spearheading the formulation of a new National Export Development Strategy, which was aligned to the government’s industrialization agenda, to help promote rapid increase in non-traditional exports in the next ten years.

Government through the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) has begun engaging private business owners in the Ashanti Region on the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the National Export Development Strategy through a regional conference.

The regional conference on the implementation of the agreement which will be replicated nationwide will afford businesses the opportunity to seek clarity on the Continental Free Trade Area and how they can penetrate the market.