Ghana, Gabon strengthen AfCFTA cooperation to boost intra-African trade
President John Dramani Mahama has urged stronger partnerships between the private sectors of Ghana and Gabon, calling for collaboration in manufacturing, agribusiness, transport and logistics, infrastructure development, financial services and value addition.
The President said Ghana, as host country of the AfCFTA Secretariat, remained committed to promoting intra-African trade, industrialisation and economic integration.
He made the remarks during bilateral discussions with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema at the Jubilee House in Accra.
President Mahama said the visit provided an opportunity for Ghana and Gabon to identify concrete areas of cooperation that would transform their longstanding friendship into tangible economic benefits.
“Our discussions today provide a valuable opportunity to identify concrete areas of cooperation that will translate our shared aspirations into tangible benefits for our people,” he said.
He stressed that trade and investment must remain at the centre of the renewed partnership between the two countries.
“Trade and investment must remain central to this agenda,” President Mahama said.
“We should encourage stronger partnerships between our private sectors, facilitate investment flows and create an enabling environment for businesses in both countries to collaborate in manufacturing, agribusiness, transport and logistics, infrastructure development, financial services and value addition,” he added.
The President said expanding commercial exchanges between Ghana and Gabon would contribute to economic growth, create jobs and enhance the competitiveness of both economies.
He noted that Ghana and Gabon had significant opportunities to collaborate in areas such as agriculture, fisheries and natural resource governance.
President Mahama said both countries could share expertise and experience in responsible mining, local content development, mineral beneficiation and transparent resource management.
“By sharing our expertise, experience and best practices, our countries can promote responsible mining, local content development, mineral beneficiation, environmental stewardship and transparent resource management that delivers lasting value to our citizens,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of education and human capital development, calling for stronger partnerships among universities, research institutions and technical training centres.
President Mahama said Ghana looked forward to working closely with Gabon to ensure that the African Continental Market created opportunities for businesses and improved livelihoods across both countries.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
