Ghana Poised to Lead ECOWAS Adoption of Accra Convention – Trade Minister

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, positioning the country as a leader in advancing trade finance, cross-border commerce and digital cargo documentation within the ECOWAS region.

She said this during a one-day virtual sensitisation programme on the Convention for ECOWAS Member States on Wednesday in Accra.

She said the Convention, to be known as the Accra Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, presented an important opportunity for Ghana and other ECOWAS Member States to modernise trade practices and address longstanding challenges associated with the financing and trading of goods transported by road, rail and air.

The Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 2025, through Resolution 80/162, and is expected to provide a modern legal framework to facilitate the use of negotiable cargo documents in international trade.

The Minister said the Convention would be opened for signature in Accra on October 26, 2026, describing the upcoming event as a significant milestone for Ghana and the region.

She said the sensitisation programme was therefore timely, as it would enable ECOWAS Member States to develop a common understanding of the Convention, its provisions and implications for trade and regional integration.

Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare urged participating Member States to use the programme to critically assess the Convention against their respective national legal frameworks and return to their governments with clear recommendations on the way forward.

She said Ghana was ready to welcome ECOWAS Member States and stakeholders from across the world to Accra for the signing of the Convention.

The Minister emphasised the importance of collective regional action towards creating an enabling legal and trade environment capable of supporting greater cross-border commerce and improving access to trade finance.

She said Ghana’s commitment to the Convention demonstrated its determination to support initiatives that strengthened regional integration and made trade more efficient and responsive to the changing needs of businesses.

The Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), Ms Anna Joubin-Bret, and the Director of Trade who represented the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Kolawole Sofola, encouraged Member States and other stakeholders to participate fully in the Accra Convention process.

Judith Twumwaa, ISD