Vegetable exporters to AfCFTA: Scrap barriers to intra-African trade

The Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana has made a request. They want the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to eliminate trade barriers. These barriers hinder intra-African trade among member countries.

The Association pointed out infrastructural and logistical challenges. These issues discourage exporters from exploring other African markets. Dr. Felix Mawuli Kamassah, the President of the Association, spoke about this recently.

He responded to the U.S. government's new 10% tariff on exports from all countries, including Ghana. Dr. Kamassah urged the AfCFTA Secretariat to address these long-standing problems.

“Some barriers seriously hinder traders and drivers,” he said. He noted that regional traders face many challenges, especially in ECOWAS and West Africa.

Dr. Kamassah gave an example of onion traders from Niger. They often encounter multiple obstacles during transit. “It shouldn’t be like that,” he stated.

He expressed a desire to promote trade among African nations. “Why can’t we make better decisions?” he asked, highlighting areas for improvement.

Dr. Kamassah clarified that exporters do not seek financial aid from governments or regional bodies. Instead, they want a supportive environment for intra-African trade.