Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe and Second Deputy Minority Whip, has thrown his weight behind Hon. Issah Atta’s call for African countries to strengthen intra-African trade and unlock the continent’s economic potential.
This comes as Ghana’s Parliament witnesses growing consensus on the need for collective action to boost trade and promote economic self-reliance.
Commenting on Atta’s statement, Hon. Shaib emphasised that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a game-changer, creating a single market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over $3 trillion. However, he warned that the continent is squandering opportunities due to a lingering colonial mentality that undermines local products and capabilities.
“Everything we are getting should come from outside” is a mindset that must change, Shaib said, citing examples of Ghanaian products being undervalued despite their quality.
He pointed to the irony of Ghanaians buying back their own products, such as chocolate, at inflated prices, simply because they are imported.
Hon. Shaib stressed the need for industrialisation, value addition, and embracing digital trade and fintech to drive growth. He highlighted the potential of AfCFTA to boost intra-African trade, currently languishing at around 15%, compared to over 50% in Europe.
However, the MP also identified significant challenges, including non-tariff barriers equivalent to an 18% import tariff, inadequate infrastructure, cumbersome customs procedures, and limited access to trade finance.
He urged African leaders to depart from colonial-era thinking and take advantage of AfCFTA’s potential.
The MP’s comments underscore the growing recognition in Ghana’s Parliament that intra-African trade is a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. As Ghana hosts the AfCFTA secretariat, the country has a special role in championing these reforms.
The MP’s appeal is part of a broader initiative to prioritise trade facilitation, infrastructure investment, and value-added exports in African countries.
Amidst the global economy’s shift towards protectionist policies, Africa must capitalise on this opportunity to establish its presence in the global trade landscape.
He noted, ‘Trade facilitation is a human agenda, centred on jobs, dignity, and empowerment for Africans. ” Ghana’s Parliament is uniting behind this vision, and it is imperative for African leaders to take action.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
