The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is set to open and handover the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat Building to the African Union Commission (AUC), in Accra, on Monday.
The AfCFTA Secretariat will administer the free trade agreement creating a ‘Single Market’ for 55 African countries. The combined population of the member countries is estimated to be 1.2 billion and a total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $2.5 trillion.
So far, 54 countries have signed the Agreement with 28 countries ratifying the same.
Ghana was selected, by member states, to host the AfCFTA Secretariat during 12th African Union (AU) Extraordinary Summit held in Niger.
As part of the obligations and commitments under the Host Country, ghana is required to provide a fully furnished office complex as the Headquarters for the AfCFTA Secretariat and official residence for the Secretary-General.
In a joint statement issued and signed by the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, it was acknowledged that the hosting of AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana will promote as an attractive regional and investment hub in Africa.
Additionally, it is also expected to help boost economic activities and provide job opportunities for Ghanaians.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the newly elected Secretary-General of AfCFTA, the Speaker of Parliament, Chairman of the Council of State among other dignitaries are expected to be present, at the ceremony on Monday.
