AGI Embraces National AfCFTA Policy Framework And Action Plan With Optimism:

 As they call on the business community and Industry, to join Government in the full implementation of this National Policy Framework.

The President of The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr.Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke, has remarked that, the ceremony to launch the National AfCFTA Policy Framework And Action Plan is a milestone on Ghana's journey towards being the largest Single African market.

He said, the ceremony also defines a clear roadmap for our local industries for trade in AfCFTA. 

Dr. Ayim Darke, full of joy expressed that, this is a proud moment for the AGI and it's membership, and that they would like to profoundly thank the Ministry of Trade and Industry and all the architects of this Policy Framework and Action Plan, for their all-inclusive stakeholder engagements that have brought us thus far, as the AGI look forward to the future with optimism.

The AGI President indicated that, trading effectively within AfCFTA, goes beyond the launch of the policy framework and action plan, mentioning that, "there is the need to augment local production capacity in a competitive manner, granting our industries the support to progress into export-oriented production." 

 "It is also our expectation that the National AfCFTA Policy Framework, including the Phase 1 negotiations, will prioritize interventions for Industry, to accelerate Ghana’s Industrial Transformation Agenda."  

"The disruptions in global supply chains across the world, on account of the COVID  pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, precipitate our need to develop local supply chains within Africa with the National AfCFTA framework as our catalyst",Dr. Ayim Darke expressed.

 He further communicated that:

"Given that some of our businesses are already in the sub-region trade markets, it is obvious that a good number of us are yet to leverage on the provisions of AfCFTA, for reasons of constraints, which include capacity and competitiveness."

"We have seen troubling contractions in manufacturing sub-sector’s contribution to GDP growth rate, thus from 2.3% in Q4 of 2021 to 0.6% in Q1, 2022." 

 "However, Deepening economic engagement is crucial vis-à-vis well aligned regional policies, and trade regulations, especially where we have signed unto other trade agreements, such as the UK Partnership agreement, the interim Economic Partnership Agreement."

 Dr. Humphrey Kwesi Ayim Darke conveyed that, drawing from the ECOWAS experiences:

"We call on all the relevant institutions to help eliminate the Non-Tariff-Barriers, which continue to frustrate regional trade development and integration. 

He concluded by calling on the business community and Industry, to join Government in the full implementation of this National Policy Framework, to deliver concrete benefits and transform trade in this Single Continental market, with AGIs belief that, the success of this National Policy Framework will be to the mutual benefit of our Private sector and Government for job creation and shared prosperity."