President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), emphasizing the country’s pride in hosting the Secretariat and its dedication to facilitating the bloc’s long-term success.
The assurance came during a courtesy call by the Secretary General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Mr. Wamkele Mene, who visited President Mahama following his recent electoral victory. Mr. Mene extended his congratulations and commended Ghana for its peaceful democratic transition, describing it as a model for the continent.
President Mahama expressed gratitude for the visit and used the opportunity to advocate for urgent and strategic investments in transport and digital infrastructure across Africa. He underscored that without modern, integrated infrastructure, the goals of the AfCFTA could remain unrealized.
“We must invest in the corridors that connect us. For instance, if we extend the Abidjan-Lagos corridor all the way to Dakar, we create a powerful channel that will energize intra-African trade,” the President noted. He also highlighted the importance of improving road and rail links between coastal and landlocked countries, referencing increasing trade volumes between Ghana and Sahelian nations like Burkina Faso and Mali.
President Mahama said the lack of robust transportation networks has long undermined regional trade agreements and stressed the need for the African Union’s development vision—AU-NEPAD—to prioritize seamless connectivity across the continent.
On his part, Mr. Mene updated the President on the AfCFTA’s progress since its official commencement on May 30, 2019. He reported that 49 of the 55 African Union member states have ratified the agreement, and 24 countries, including Ghana, are currently trading under the AfCFTA framework.
“Ghana remains one of our flagship pilot countries, and we appreciate the critical role your country continues to play,” Mr. Mene noted.
He also pointed out that while significant progress has been made, six countries—Benin, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea—have yet to ratify the agreement, urging continued diplomatic engagement to ensure full continental participation.
President Mahama reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting the Secretariat’s work and leveraging Ghana’s position to champion the AfCFTA’s mission.
“With the right investments and political will, Africa can transform into a globally competitive trading bloc,” the President concluded.
The meeting marked a renewed chapter of collaboration between Ghana and the AfCFTA Secretariat, setting the tone for strengthened continental integration efforts in the years ahead.
