PR & COMMS UPDATES
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, has urged ECOWAS member states to deepen regional cooperation, strengthen industrial development, and remove trade barriers in order to realise the region’s full economic potential.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the opening of the Fifth Joint Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5) in Accra on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Honourable Minister reiterated Ghana’s dedication to promoting regional integration and economic transformation.
As the host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area, she pointed out that Ghana understands its obligation to support decisions that foster smooth trade, industrialisation, and job creation throughout the continent. She also underlined that West African citizens anticipate markets and industries that improve livelihoods and create opportunities.
The Hon. Minister emphasised the necessity for ECOWAS nations to speak with one voice in international trade discussions while discussing recent trends in global trade and highlighting the results of the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé.
She emphasised how crucial it is to make sure that international trade agreements complement African economies’ development goals.
The Hon. Minister noted that intraregional commerce is still less than 15% even though ECOWAS represents a market of over 350 million people with a combined GDP close to US$700 billion.
She blamed this on issues like inadequate transportation infrastructure, erratic energy supplies, a variety of currencies, inconsistent customs practices, and non-tariff barriers that still hinder regional trade.
She advocated for further cooperation in creating regional value chains, especially in the production of textiles, clothing, and automobiles, in order to address these issues.
Under the context of the AfCFTA, she urged member states to implement policies that support cross-border industrial collaborations, boost the use of regional inputs, and foster local production.
Additionally, the Hon. Minister reaffirmed Ghana’s support for the execution of important regional initiatives, such as the ECOWAS Common Investment Market, harmonised food standards, the Cross-Border Consumer Protection Regulation, and the West Africa Common Industrial Policy (WACIP) 2026–2030.
According to her, these frameworks are crucial instruments for developing sustainable enterprises and boosting regional competitiveness.
She emphasised the effects of non-tariff barriers, pointing out that they raise the cost of cross-border commerce in West Africa by 15 to 20 percent, which affects both consumers and enterprises.
She urged swift action to remove pointless roadblocks, redundant certificates, and administrative hold-ups that jeopardise regional integration initiatives.
In closing, the Hon. Minister reiterated Ghana’s commitment to collaborating with ECOWAS member states to create a more cohesive, competitive, and prosperous region for all while citing the words of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, to encourage West African leaders to embrace unity and collective action.
Hon. Amdiatta Diaby, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Committee on Trade, Customs, and Free Movement, has called for stronger political commitment and effective implementation of regional trade agreements to accelerate economic integration and reap the full benefits of trade across West Africa.
H.E. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Chair of the 5th ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry (ECOMOTI-5) and also the Sierra Leone Minister for Trade, urged member states to safeguard the integrity of the ECOWAS Customs Union, warning that bilateral trade arrangements that undermine the Common External Tariff could weaken the region’s collective bargaining power and economic sovereignty, and emphasised the need for member countries to work collectively for the growth and advancement.
Source: newsthemegh.com