The Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) has announced its decision to commence a nationwide research survey to assess the knowledge that Ghanaians have on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, February 1, the survey will also seek to know how popular the declaration of Accra as the ‘commercial capital of Africa’ is with the citizenry. Meanwhile, the survey is expected to be held in some selected cities across Ghana. Such cities include: Greater Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and Koforidua.

GITFiC indicated that the survey will further assess the private sector’s readiness towards the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement, as well as provide a comprehensive and reliable information source to help the government, local authorities, and private economic sectors to build up socio-economic development plans to improve intra-African trade.

The release signed by Lead Research Fellow in charge of Policy and Advocate at GITFiC, Gerald Ekow Woode, noted that “This initiative will generate a diagnostics report which would help to develop practical steps or a road map in addressing the gaps and challenges”.

“The quality of the survey is greatly subjected to the information provided by our experienced field personnel.”
Gerald Ekow

It can be recalled that a call for enumerators was publicly circulated in October and November 2021, which attracted many people interested. More than 800 applications were received from the general public.

20 Applicants Selected out of 800 Applicants

However, the statement indicated that the 800 applicants were narrowed down to 20 after a rigorous selection process. It further added that the 20 finalists were, in December 2021, taken through various preparatory stages. Moreover, in January 2022, the 20 finalists have met all requirements and have been fully certified to carry out this assignment.

The two-page survey questionnaire has been carefully vetted to reflect the quality responses expected from the business community in the selected regional capitals.

GITFiC noted that the field enumerators will reach out to about 6,000 industries, companies, and SMEs across the five selected regions in Ghana. GITFiC thus, implored the public to cooperate with the field personnel for the project.

“We believe that with a high responsible spirit, available enthusiasm, and a strong desire to contribute to the development of the country, the general public will kindly grant our field personnel the audience to fulfil their duties in the various establishments ear-marked for this exercise.”
GITFiC

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims at accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market by strengthening Africa’s common voice and policy space in global trade negotiations.

The free-trade area is the largest in the world in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organization.

The Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was officially opened in Accra, Ghana, a major milestone in the full implementation of the free trade agreement.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo handed over the Secretariat to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, at a ceremony in Accra, on 17 August 2021.