PR & COMMS UPDATE (MoTAI)
Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry of the Republic of Ghana, met with Burkina Faso’s Ambassador and delegation leader on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
In attendance were the Chairman and Ranking Member of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade and Tourism, as well as members from each nations’ key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The long-standing and familial links between Ghana and Burkina Faso were recognised by Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, who also emphasised the vital role that bilateral trade plays in fostering economic growth, opening up job opportunities, and producing wealth for both countries. She emphasised the trade data that is now available and urged coordinated actions to greatly increase trade volumes between the two nations.
In order to investigate prospects for Ghanaian companies to supply these goods in a competitive manner, the Honourable Minister asked the Burkinabè side to give a list of their top ten imports. She also emphasised Ghana’s desire to learn from Burkina Faso’s excellent farming methods and praised the country’s proficiency in agricultural production, especially in tomatoes and onions.
She urged increased cooperation in the agricultural industry to foster mutual development and knowledge sharing.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare added that cross-border trade has been hampered by recent unrest in some areas of Burkina Faso.
She emphasised how vital it is to take coordinated action to guarantee the security and safety of Ghanaian traders doing business in the area.
Regarding Burkina Faso’s indefinite ban on fresh tomato exports, the Minister noted that 70–80% of Ghana’s tomatoes come from Burkina Faso, with an annual import value of almost $400 million.
She urged for a win-win solution that takes into account the needs of both nations and highlighted the serious obstacles this legislation presents to Ghana’s tomato supply chain.
The Honourable Minister concluded by announcing that she will bring 20 to 50 Burkinabè traders and business owners to Ghana in the upcoming months to discuss trade and business prospects in pertinent industries and goods.
The leader of the group and the ambassador of Burkina Faso responded by thanking Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare for starting the conversation to deepen the long-standing ties between the two adjacent nations.
The Burkinabè side clarified that the policy aims to guarantee a sufficient supply of raw materials for the nation’s recently created tomato processing plants in relation to the suspension of tomato exports.
This is a calculated move away from exporting raw materials and toward domestic value addition and industrialisation.
The strength and tenacity of Ghana and Burkina Faso’s bilateral relationship were reiterated by both sides.
They pledged to strengthen cooperation in crucial sectors such trade expansion, market access, trader security, and agricultural development since they understood the importance of ongoing and productive communication in tackling new issues.
At the end of the conference, both parties pledged to continue high-level diplomatic interaction to address any future issues and to look into specific prospects for increasing commerce.
Source: newsthemegh.com