Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) and policy think-tanks to help hold governments responsible for fulfilling the regional agreements and global treaties they sign for social and economic development.
According to him, statistics over the years have shown that governments are quick to sign agreements and commitments on regional and international platforms – but when it comes to implementation and allocation of resources for same, little has been done; hence the need for CSOs to constantly make demands from government.
He added further that the economic benefit of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on African countries will be enormous if only governments show political commitment to its implementation.
He added that when it comes to the implementation of AfCFTA, African leaders are found wanting, hence it will take constant pressure from CSOs to ensure government shows commitment to the responsibilities which the agreement places on it.
“At the international level we agree to these beautiful agreements, but in reality traders are being victimised in other countries in the area of free trade. We cannot tackle this in a business-as-usual manner and expect good results; it is either we are for AfCFTA and willingly domesticate our laws and open-up our space and borders for free movement of goods and services- and also educate indigenous traders to also take advantage – or we back off,” he said.
The Member of Parliament made these remarks at a dialogue series organised by some CSOs, including the Institute for Liberty and Policy Innovation (ILAPI), Wada and Global Policy House among others.
Executive Director of ILAPI, Peter Bismark Kwofie, on his part, called on stakeholders in the country to ensure that the youth and policymakers are educated on the need to leverage technology for development.
“Blockchain and other emerging technologies should drive innovations that could help reduce inflation and unemployment for investment and trade,” he said.
Sub-Regional Coordinator-Wada, Afia Asamoa Owusu, mentioned that her outfit is committed to developing skills in the blockchain ecosystem as well as artificial intelligence-gathering for the youth to benefit from global economies.
“Wada gives voice to the voiceless by ensuring people leverage emerging technologies such as Web 3.0 and blockchain, which many advanced countries have used to develop their economies. Many African countries, especially Ghana, believe that blockchain technologies are scams; but they are solely for investment and business-innovation purposes,” she said.
Furthermore, she indicated that Wada is currently doing regenerative agriculture in Tamale with a group of farmers growing Bambara beans, and are linked all over the world to consumers of Bambara beans who support the farmers with finance.
