Ghana and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed plans to deepen trade and investment cooperation as officials from both sides met to review progress under their Trade Partnership Agreement, five years after its implementation.
The Joint Technical Committee meeting in Accra brought together government officials, development partners and regional representatives, including the Economic Community of West African States, to assess the agreement’s performance and address outstanding issues.
Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi described the anniversary as a point for reflection and renewed commitment, noting that while exports from Ghana are rising, trade remains tilted in favor of the U.K. He said further efforts are needed to diversify exports and strengthen resilience, urging participants to focus on practical solutions to longstanding bottlenecks.
On the U.K. side, Terri Sarch, speaking for the British High Commissioner, said bilateral trade has grown by nearly 10% over the past year, highlighting the agreement’s role in supporting investment, job creation and Ghana’s economic recovery. Officials also pointed to emerging opportunities in services trade, with U.K. co-chair Paul Whittingham identifying it as a key area for future growth.
Regional representatives said the agreement carries broader implications beyond bilateral trade. Kolawole A. Sofola noted it could serve as a model for trade cooperation within West Africa.
Focus on implementation gaps
A joint communiqué issued after the meeting highlighted priority areas for action, including finalizing dispute settlement procedures and establishing an arbitration framework to strengthen the agreement’s institutional structure.
Both sides also reviewed progress on tariff liberalisation and agreed to deepen cooperation on Rules of Origin to help exporters fully benefit from preferential access. Efforts to improve trade data access and evidence-based policymaking were also discussed, alongside ongoing development programmes supporting jobs, regulatory reform and Ghana’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Market access and diversification
Participants reiterated the need to address market access barriers and expand trade into new sectors, including agriculture, services and emerging product categories. Discussions also covered issues such as geographical indications and preference erosion. Officials said more frequent technical engagements would be required to accelerate implementation and unlock the agreement’s full potential.
The review points to a shift from broad commitments to execution, seeking to close technical gaps and expand trade flows. While growth in bilateral trade points to progress, the imbalance and limited diversification highlight structural constraints. Advancing rules, data access and services trade could determine whether the agreement delivers deeper economic gains over the next five years.
