Accra:Twenty-six countries have signed the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, known as the Accra Convention, which aims to reduce legal uncertainties and facilitate the movement of goods across international borders. The signing ceremony took place in Accra, hosted by the Government of Ghana, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
According to Ghana Web, the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 2025, and is designed to improve the efficiency of cargo movement across road, rail, and air transport networks. Ghana's Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, highlighted the Convention's potential to address gaps in cargo documentation and strengthen trade within Africa.
Three key features of the Convention include its application to goods in transit, protection for buyers and banks relying on negotiable cargo documents, and the recognition of electronic documents as legally equivalent to paper-based ones. Ofosu-Adjare announced Ghana's intent to work towards ratifying the Convention, emphasizing the need for concrete action following Ghana's role as host of the signing ceremony.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs James Gyakye Quayson urged United Nations member states to sign, ratify, and implement the Convention, noting the importance of international cooperation amid global uncertainties. He highlighted UNCITRAL's contribution to international trade over the past six decades and the Convention's potential to support regional integration and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme.
Minister of Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe spoke on the Convention's benefits in providing greater flexibility in cargo transportation and reducing administrative bottlenecks. He called for a coordinated approach to implement the agreement, emphasizing the importance of seamless movement across national borders.
Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of UNCITRAL, thanked Ghana for hosting the ceremony and stressed the need for widespread adoption and effective implementation of the Convention. She acknowledged contributions from various international and regional organizations and stakeholders in advancing the Convention's objectives.
The signing ceremony marked a significant step towards the Convention's wider adoption, with representatives of participating countries highlighting its potential to improve cargo movement and facilitate international trade.