Accra: Mr Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff, stated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents a significant opportunity for the continent to transform its productive structures, build regional value chains, and become a competitive global economic bloc. Africa's low level of intra-continental trade remains a major challenge, highlighting the need for deliberate efforts to deepen economic integration across the continent.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Debrah delivered these remarks at the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) Summit, held under the theme: 'Unlocking West Africa's Economic Potential through Trade, Investment, Logistics, and Youth Development.' The summit was organized by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and FEWACCI.
He noted that the theme of the summit aligns with the government's policy direction, particularly initiatives led by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry. These initiatives, including the 24-hour economy programme, aim to enhance the business environment and industrial competitiveness. Programmes such as the Export Expansion Programme are supporting Ghanaian SMEs to leverage opportunities under AfCFTA and the Economic Community of West African States, while investments in value addition are bolstering domestic production.
Mr Debrah highlighted regulatory reforms such as the introduction of a one-stop-shop system and initiatives like the Apprenticeship-to-Entrepreneur Programme, implemented with the Ghana Enterprise Agency, to equip the youth with practical skills for enterprise development. He mentioned that the Ghana Economic Transformation Project has provided training and financial support to thousands of SMEs, demonstrating the government's commitment to building a resilient private sector.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges such as inadequate logistics infrastructure, fragmented standards, limited access to finance, and high trade costs, which continue to hinder intra-regional trade. He called for coordinated action between the government, the private sector, and development partners. He urged bodies such as the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and the GNCCI to play a stronger role in advocacy, investment mobilisation, and enterprise development.
Mr Debrah emphasised the necessity of deepening regional integration, investing in productive capacity, empowering SMEs and the youth, and strengthening public-private collaboration. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to building a dynamic and prosperous West African economy.
The objectives of the summit include strengthening regional trade facilitation through harmonised standards and coordinated private-sector advocacy, driving investment in trade, logistics, and productive capacity via partnerships with financial institutions and development partners. It also aims to promote youth empowerment through structured mentorship, the Youth Innovation Challenge, and inclusion in regional value chains, supporting SME competitiveness in digital trade, access to finance, and logistics solutions. Additionally, the summit seeks to shape actionable public-private policy recommendations for sustainable economic transformation and reinforce FEWACCI's role as the coordinating body for private-sector-led regional development.