The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Baffour Okyere Sarpong has stressed the urgent need to expedite harmonization of standards for goods and services in support of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). He asserts that this initiative is crucial for enhancing commercial activities within AfCFTA and bolstering businesses across the continent.
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), an intergovernmental standards body operating under the African Union, is actively engaged in developing and implementing standards to enhance Africa’s internal trade, global product competitiveness, consumer welfare, and future international trade standardization.
Mr. Baffoe Okyere Sarpong remains optimistic about the harmonization of standards, highlighting to the importance of Shippers Councils across the continent sharing data to enhance AfCFTA trade. He underscores that all countries are committed to this objective, and standards serve as benchmarks for eliminating technical barriers.
Recognising the pivotal role of data in streamlining trade processes and fostering economic growth, he called for collaboration to exchange vital information related to cargo handling, customs procedures, and trade regulations.
These sentiments were expressed during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Cameroon Shippers’ Council (CNSC) to the Ghana Shippers Authority on 4th March 2024 at the Ghana Shippers’ House in Accra. The delegation, led by Faliki Aicha, Assistant Director of Trade Facilitation at the CNSC, included Lewono Mbassi Marguenle, Export Promotion Officer, and Garba Houdou, Client Service and Standardisation Officer.
The leader of the delegation mentioned that their visit was to participate in the 67th Ghana’s Trade Fair to promote goods and services of Shippers in Cameroon under the AfCFTA.
She said, as African nations, there is the need to continue to harness the potential of AfCFTA to propel economic growth and development at the Cameroon Shippers Council, we are committed to data sharing among Shippers Councils emerges as a key enabler for realising the full potential of this landmark trade agreement.
