The Volta Regional Shipper Committee (VRSC) at its 62nd meeting bemoaned the numerous speed ramps dotted along the Accra – Aflao Highway; particularly the Agbozume-Aflao Border stretch. Participants at the meeting noted that, the height of the ramps coupled with the short distance between them slowed down travel time of vehicles and was causing delay to shipment of cargo, especially perishable commodities. They noted that the development did not augur well for intra-regional trade and called on the Ghana Highways Authority to check these unauthorised speed ramps along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor.
Still at the 62nd VRSC Meeting, members were sensitised on the AfCFTA Agreement by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
The resource person, Mr. Anthony Nyame-Baafi (Ministry of Trade and Industry), presenting on the topic: “An Overview of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement and How Businesses Can Benefit” took participants on the journey of the AfCFTA and the achievements so far. He informed members that the Agreement allowed countries that had ratified to start trading among themselves from 1st January 2021 and added that member states have agreed to liberalise 90% of tariff lines to be followed by an additional 7% on sensitive products. He indicated that the remaining 3% on exclusive products will not be liberalised.
Mr. Nyame-Baafi outlined several instruments and protocols that had been unveiled to support the operational phase of the AfCFTA during an AU extraordinary summit in Niger in 2019 to ensure equity among member countries.
He stated that the AfCFTA Agreement constitutes the most significant development in Africa’s Integration effort and hinted that Government would soon adopt a strategy to boost Intra African trade. He urged businesses and the regulatory agencies to collaborate to ensure that Ghana reaps the full benefits of the AfCFTA.
