A week-long conference to prepare grounds for the implementation of the African Continental Free trade Agreement by member countries is in line with the objectives of ensuring that all member countries put in place the necessary measures to be able to trade from January 2021.
The head of AfCFTA affairs of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), who doubles as the chair of the committee on trading goods, Mr. Fechin Akoto said that countries that would not be ready by the January 2021 deadline would be assisted to be able to commence trading.
“……even when you look at the main framework agreement, there is a provision that we should have in mind that we are all not on the same level in development. Some of the countries are more developed than others, so in dealing with such countries we should be very considerate looking at their level of development. So, if any country is not ready, it is right for those developed ones to help them come out with measures that will help them to implement the AfCFTA.”
“Once they come out with their difficulties that is why we have the Secretariat. The Secretariat will put in the possible measures to make sure that they have the basic things in place for trading to take place.”
Amidst all these, some gaping threats to the implementation of the AfCFTA are imminent. Major contributors to the success of the AfCFTA, like Nigeria who are an economic power in the region have hinted at keeping their borders closed, citing border security as the reason.
Speaking in an interview, Nigeria’s chief Trade Negotiator for the AfCFTA, Mr. Victor Liman said that as it stands now, Nigeria does not trust the credibility of its neighbours to avoid dumping on its market and bringing in substandard products. Therefore, until that happens, it may not open its borders for trade.
“We have to be realistic, if our borders are not secure then we have not just a trade problem but we also have a national security problem. Every country needs to take steps to ensure that they put together a credible secure border, put together a policy framework to ensure that people can trade freely across the border without any form of fear or encumbrance.”- Mr. Victor Liman
According to Mr. Liman, this should be the focus of discussions among member countries to consider placing sanctions on member countries who would flout an agreed set of rules. He reiterated that all stakeholders must place a premium on this particular issue to ensure that all countries have a secure border.
This notwithstanding, Ghana is speedily preparing to implement the AfCFTA and that regulatory authorities are at various preparatory stages to ensure trade flows are not hindered and also a National Coordinating office has been set up to ensure that problems encountered by businesses participating in the AFCFTA are addressed.
