Ghana Pushes for Tariff-Free Trade Within Commonwealth
Ghana is calling on the Commonwealth to prioritize removing tariffs and trade barriers among member states to boost economic cooperation and expand trade opportunities. Speaking at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in London, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasized the need for the bloc to promote open trade and economic diplomacy.
“The Commonwealth should present itself as a multilateral organisation that promotes open trade, not protectionist policies,” Ablakwa said. He called for removing tariffs and barriers hindering trade flows within the bloc, adding that this would enhance economic growth and development among member states.
Ablakwa highlighted Ghana’s proactive role in continental trade integration, noting that the country hosts the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries. He expressed Ghana’s commitment to leveraging the AfCFTA to expand trade opportunities and promote economic growth.
The meeting’s theme, “The Commonwealth at a Moment of Strategic Opportunity,” provided a fitting backdrop for Ghana’s call to action. Ablakwa’s statement is seen as a push for the Commonwealth to seize the moment and position itself as a champion of open trade and economic cooperation.
The outcome of Ghana’s proposal is expected to have significant implications for trade and economic relations among Commonwealth member states. With Ghana’s strong advocacy, the bloc is likely to make progress in promoting tariff-free trade and economic integration.
