Ghana renews TradeMark Africa partnership to boost exports and modernise trade | Ghanaguardian. com
Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) has renewed its partnership with TradeMark Africa in a move aimed at improving trade facilitation, increasing exports and supporting sustainable economic growth. The two institutions signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on Ghana’s commitments under major regional and international trade frameworks, including the
Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) has renewed its partnership with TradeMark Africa in a move aimed at improving trade facilitation, increasing exports and supporting sustainable economic growth. The two institutions signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on Ghana’s commitments under major regional and international trade frameworks, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) trade agenda. The agreement was signed by Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare and TradeMark Africa Deputy Chief Executive Officer Allen Sophia Asiimwe. It renews a partnership first established in January 2023, which created a framework for joint work on Ghana’s trade and wider economic development priorities. Under the new agreement, TradeMark Africa and MoTAI will continue delivering the Ghana Country Programme Strategy. The programme is designed to support practical improvements in trade facilitation, regional integration, private sector competitiveness and access to markets. A central part of the renewed cooperation will be the modernisation of Ghana’s border management systems. The partnership will also contribute to the development of digital trade infrastructure, improvements to logistics networks and efforts to reduce the time and cost involved in transporting goods along the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor. The agreement places further emphasis on standards and quality systems, with the aim of making Ghanaian exports more competitive. Agricultural and manufactured products are expected to be among the main beneficiaries. TradeMark Africa and the ministry will also seek to widen participation in regional and AfCFTA trade for women, young people and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This will include inclusive trade initiatives and better access to trade finance. The partnership is also intended to help Ghana prepare for new green trade requirements. Ms Ofosu-Adjare pointed to progress already achieved through the relationship, including the recent commissioning of upgraded border management systems at the Akanu–Noepe Joint Border Post. She said integrated digital customs systems, improved infrastructure and solar energy solutions introduced at the crossing had made it possible for the facility to operate around the clock. The changes have also helped reduce delays in the movement of goods. Ms Asiimwe praised the Government, and MoTAI in particular, for its continued cooperation with TradeMark Africa. She said she was confident that the renewed agreement would strengthen the relationship further and lead to greater results. The partnership has extended beyond physical infrastructure and technology. It has also involved building institutional capacity, training border officials and offering export-readiness assistance to SMEs. More than 1,250 women and small-scale cross-border traders have received support covering AfCFTA procedures, simplified trade processes and safer trading conditions. The renewed MoU is expected to create a platform for increased investment, higher export levels and progress towards Ghana’s ambition of becoming a leading regional trade and investment hub. It also supports national priorities focused on private sector-led growth, industrialisation, job creation and the development of a resilient economy driven by exports.