APN GROUP, the largest and Premier International NGO Network on Trade and AfCFTA Advocacy has Congratulated H.E John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic of Ghana to Sustain the implementation of the AfCFTA, and fast track the Special Economic Zones Bill already in parliament.
The immediate past Government laid some pragmatic implementation pathways, that led to the launching of Ghana’s AfCFTA Policy Strategy.
A sustained AfCFTA Trading offers over 90% liberalized and dismantling Tariff regime which has the potential of developing, Value Chains value Additions and Export drives.
The World Bank has estimated the AfCFTA Services to contribute 50% to GDP which when sustained can create job opportunities.
Ghana remains an Agrarian Economy and over 50 % of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin points to Agribusiness potentials which is needed to link Processing, Manufacturing and industrialization.
The Rapid Growth of the Circular Economy in Ghana will thrive more when the Special Economic Zones Bill is fastracked into Law as Implemented in South Africa, Morocco Kenya and more.
Ghana currently implements Free zones. Special Economic Zones offers larger economies of Scale, Export development and Job Creation.
Women & Youth, Digital Commerce, Fintech has accounted for the major compacts driving AfCFTA Trading and needs urgent sustainability.
The Afcfta Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) should be enhanced to open Market accessibilities among comparative advantaged state parties.
Ghana can Review its AfCFTA National Strategic implementation policy to enhance collective approach and Development.
The 1district 1 factory and the 24hr economy would be catalytic enablers in sustaining AfCFTA & create jobs.
By Louis Yaw Afful, a UC SME & AfCFTA technical expert
