The First Vice President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Dr. Mrs. Emelia Assiakwa, has called for strategic partnerships and bold initiatives to position Ghana’s private sector at the forefront of Africa’s trade and investment revolution under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Speaking at a high-level Private Sector Dinner on Ghana’s Next Chapter in Trade and Investment, held at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra, Dr. Assiakwa underscored the need for Ghanaian businesses to seize the opportunities presented by AfCFTA and overcome persistent trade barriers through innovation and collaboration.

The event, which brought together top industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, was graced by H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, TradeMark Africa Board Chair and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, alongside David Beer, CEO of TradeMark Africa (TMA).

As the host country of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana holds a pivotal role in demonstrating how an empowered private sector can drive intra-African trade.

However, Dr. Assiakwa acknowledged that despite the vast potential, significant challenges remain including access to finance, high trade costs, fragmented supply chains, and regulatory inconsistencies.

“These are real constraints, but they are not insurmountable. What we need are bold, strategic partnerships that will drive real change,” she said.

In response to these challenges, Dr. Assiakwa announced a new partnership between GNCCI and TradeMark Africa known as the Ghana Trade Competitiveness Initiative.

This initiative aims to remove trade barriers, digitize trade processes, and accelerate Ghana’s export growth, ensuring the country sets a benchmark for seamless trade within Africa.

“We must make Ghana the gold standard for AfCFTA success by eliminating bottlenecks and facilitating smooth cross-border trade,” she emphasised.

The evening’s discussions focused on key themes vital to Ghana’s trade competitiveness, including:

• Industrial growth and innovation to enhance value addition and manufacturing capabilities.

• Financial infrastructure for seamless cross-border transactions, reducing reliance on foreign currencies.

• Policy harmonization to create a predictable and business-friendly trade environment.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Assiakwa reminded business leaders that Ghana’s success in the AfCFTA era will be determined not just by its potential but by its ability to execute and urged businesses to move beyond discussions and take decisive steps toward real action.

“The success of Ghana’s private sector in the AfCFTA era will not be determined by potential alone but by performance by the commitments we make today and the strategic partnerships we forge for tomorrow,” she concluded.

SP/MA

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