Africa

President Akufo-Addo confirms Ghana ready to host Free Trade Area Secretariat

President Nana Akufo-Addo has assured the African Union (AU) officials that Ghana is ready to host the Secretariat of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).

Speaking at a meeting with a team from the AU Commission, currently in the country to assess the readiness of the country to host the CFTA, President Akufo-Addo said the country had the facilities to host the prestigious office.

He explained that besides the country’s strong attachment to the AU project and regional and continental integration, Ghana’s capital would provide an efficient centre for the work of the CFTA.

The CTFA agreement brokered by the AU last year requires members to reduce tariffs on goods by up to 90 percent and allow free access to commodities, goods and services across the continent.

President Akufo-Addo reminded the delegation that the idea of having a free trade in Africa was first mooted by the late President John Evans Atta-Mills and, looking at the active role the country was playing in realising that dream, the country was ideal to host the Secretariat.

The leader of the team, Nyirinkindi Katungye, said the team was currently assessing countries that have offered to host the centre, adding that Ghana had offered to host the Secretariat.

– APA