Blog Details

The National Coordinator of the AfCFTA National Coordination Office, Mr. Dode Seidu, has paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Dr. Mary Awusi, at the Authority’s Head Office in Accra following his appointment by the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry. The purpose of the visit was to formally introduce himself following his recent appointment and to explore avenues for strategic collaboration between the two institutions towards the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement in Ghana.

Welcoming Mr. Seidu and his delegation, Dr. Awusi congratulated him on his appointment and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting the AfCFTA agenda. She observed that Free Zones Enterprises are strategically positioned to take advantage of the continental market of 1.3 billion people, and that closer collaboration with the National Coordination Office is imperative to ensure that Free Zones Enterprises satisfy the requirements for preferential treatment under the AfCFTA trade agreement.

Dr. Awusi briefed the delegation on the mandate of the Ghana Free Zones Authority which is to promote export-oriented investments, industrialisation and job creation, noting that more than thirty Free Zones Enterprises are already exporting to various African markets. Dr. Awusi further informed the delegation that the Authority has established an AfCFTA Desk to serve as a designated focal point within the organisation for consolidated engagement on AfCFTA matters.

She elaborated on the key functions of the Desk, explaining that it serves as the organisation’s designated focal point for consolidated engagement on AfCFTA issues and as a support desk for expediting the institution’s services, processes and other matters relating to AfCFTA for enterprises and other stakeholders. In addition, it organises sensitisation and training programmes for Free Zones Enterprises on AfCFTA and provides guidance and assistance to enterprises seeking to acquire AfCFTA Rules of Origin certificates for their products, which is essential for preferential treatment under the trade agreement.

On his part, Mr. Seidu commended the Ghana Free Zones Authority for its role in driving Ghana’s industrialisation and export diversification agenda. He stated that the National Coordination Office was established as the central coordinating body to ensure that Ghanaian businesses harness the full benefits of AfCFTA, and that a partnership with the Authority is essential to achieving that common objective.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Awusi highlighted some of the challenges that Free Zones Enterprises encounter when exporting under the AfCFTA protocols. Mr. Seidu assured the Authority that his office would escalate these concerns in its engagements with the AfCFTA Secretariat and state parties to ensure that practical solutions are found.

Both sides agreed on the need for collaborative efforts to identify practical solutions to these challenges and facilitate greater participation of Free Zones Enterprises in the AfCFTA market.

Also present were the Deputy CEO for Finance and Administration, Mr. Hamidu Sibiri Musah; Deputy CEO for Operations, Mr. Lateef Apau Wiredu; Director, Business Development and Research, Mr. Lawrence Osei-Boateng; Director, Agribusiness, Dr. Abdul-Wahab Alhassan; Director, Administration, Hajia Hanatu Abubakar; Head of AfCFTA and Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Kingsford Jagre; Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Bilal Muazu; and other officers of the Authority.