Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a major opportunity for Africa to transform its economy, strengthen regional value chains, and become a competitive global economic bloc.
He said Africa’s low level of intra-continental trade remained a major challenge and called for deliberate efforts to deepen economic integration across the continent.
He made the remarks at the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) Summit held in Accra on the theme: “Unlocking West Africa’s Economic Potential through Trade, Investment, Logistics, and Youth Development.”
The summit was organised by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) in collaboration with FEWACCI.
The Chief of Staff said the theme of the summit aligned strongly with the Government’s policy direction, particularly initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the 24-hour economy programme aimed at improving the business environment and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
He noted that programmes such as the Export Expansion Programme were supporting Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of opportunities under AfCFTA and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He said investments in value addition were also helping to strengthen domestic production and enhance the country’s export capacity.
Mr Debrah said the summit sought to strengthen regional trade facilitation through harmonised standards and coordinated private sector advocacy, while also driving investment in trade, logistics and productive capacity through partnerships with financial institutions and development partners.
He said the summit would also promote youth empowerment through structured mentorship programmes, the Youth Innovation Challenge, and greater inclusion of young people in regional value chains.
In addition, it would support SME competitiveness in digital trade, improve access to finance, and promote efficient logistics solutions for businesses across the sub-region.
The Chief of Staff said government had introduced regulatory reforms, including a one-stop-shop system for businesses, and was implementing initiatives such as the Apprenticeship-to-Entrepreneur Programme in partnership with the Ghana Enterprise Agency to equip the youth with practical skills for enterprise development.
He said the Ghana Economic Transformation Project had also provided training and financial support to thousands of SMEs, demonstrating government’s commitment to building a strong and resilient private sector.
The Chief of Staff, however, acknowledged challenges such as inadequate logistics infrastructure, fragmented standards, limited access to finance and high trade costs, which continue to hinder intra-regional trade in Africa.
He called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to address the challenges and unlock the full potential of regional trade.
Mr Debrah urged business associations such as the Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to intensify their role in advocacy, investment mobilisation and enterprise development.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to deepening regional integration, strengthening productive capacity, empowering SMEs and the youth, and promoting sustainable economic transformation across West Africa.
