In light of the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda spearheaded by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Foreign Affairs Minister has re-emphasized the need for Ghanaians to rally support to achieve the objectives of the initiative.

Earlier this year, the President received a charter on the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda, which outlines the roadmap for Ghana’s determination to be self-reliant. Subsequently, the charter was launched to give meaning, purpose and the calendar of developing the country through available resources.

According to the minister, as a way of building a more resilient economy driven by a strong currency, Ghanaians must be inspired to fully support the process of materializing content of the roadmap.

In line with the theme of the three-day event, she emphasized that “…the Ghanaian private sector must, therefore, begin to discuss and strategize on how best to take advantage of this monumental opportunity to increase their productivity, expand their market base and as a result benefit from all the associated gains of the AfCFTA. In so doing, let all of us be inspired by and work towards the president’s vision of a prosperous, self-reliant and forward-looking Ghana which is globally recognized, a Ghana Beyond Aid.”

Delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Made-In-Ghana Bazaar Extravaganza, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, added that, as way of supporting and creating an international market space for made in Ghana products the ministry periodically “procures made in Ghana products for its diplomatic missions abroad, for national day celebrations and other promotions activities.”

Adding that, “it is in line with the support the ministry offers the private sector, mindful of the fact that the continuous supply of samples of these products for free to our missions will impact negatively on the finances of our SMEs and startups.”

The 2nd Made-In-Ghana Bazaar Extravaganza is held under the theme, ‘Promoting Made-In-Ghana Products Abroad’, from 26th-29th July 2019.

African Continental Free Trade Area

The minister while addressing complaints by manufacturers registered under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme noted that the Continental free trade area will be a solution to all current trade deficits which exists among businesses across the African continent.

The minister assured strict compliance by all member states to end any such trade deficits on the continent.

“The ministry which hosts the ECOWAS national unit continues to receive complains from out manufacturers who are registered under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) about the difficulties they encounter in the transportation and marketing of their products within the ECOWAS region.

“…The ministry has therefore taken these complaints very seriously and is using all the available diplomatic channels to address them. It is important that all countries who sign up to the protocol adhere to it.” She said.

The AfCFTA was launched in Niamey, Niger on 7th July 2019 during the summit of Heads of State and government .and government of the African Union.

It seeks to liberalize trade on the African continent.