Minister-designate for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has outlined a bold vision to boost the country’s trade and industrial sectors by capitalising on international trade agreements to drive export growth.
During her vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 22, she emphasised the critical role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in advancing the government’s goals of expanding export markets and creating sustainable employment opportunities for Ghana’s youth.
Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare described AfCFTA as a transformative opportunity for Ghana to access larger markets across Africa.
With Ghana hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, she highlighted the agreement as a unique platform to position the country as a leading exporter of goods and services within the continent.
The minister-designate revealed plans to collaborate closely with AfCFTA structures and other international trade bodies to ensure that Ghanaian products meet global standards, enabling them to compete effectively on the international stage.
This strategy, she noted, would be a key step in reducing Ghana’s trade deficit and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
“By increasing production, our goal is to export more, and with trade agreements like AfCFTA, we will ensure there are markets for our products. The focus is on creating jobs for our growing youth population through a 24-hour economy. As we increase production, we will actively seek markets, leveraging these agreements to ensure our products find buyers globally,” she said.