NDPC Unveils National Guidelines for Harnessing AfCFTA at the Local Level

Story Reported by Gideon Kotey 

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in collaboration with the UNDP has unveiled the National AfCFTA Guidelines for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

Speaking at the launch in Accra on Wednesday, the Director-General of NDPC Dr. Kodjo Mensah Abrampa emphasized that the Guidelines is aimed at harnessing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the local level.

He explained that the fact that Ghana’s market which used to be for only 30 million people a year ago but now open to 1.5 billion people through AfCFTA makes it imperative for this guidelines to enable MMDAs take advantage of AfCFTA.

“We need to enhance and open up our production activities in order to take advantage of AfCFTA”, Dr. Abrampa stressed.

Director-General of NDPC Dr. Kodjo Mensah Abrampa

The Director General of NDPC further indicated that for the local authorities to benefit from the AfCFTA, they need to remove all business constraints by providing infrastructure to support the manufacturing and production processes.

He said this will enable them to expand their production activities from the raw material primary export to manufacturing process and value added export.

Dr. Abrampah therefore urged the MMDAs to open up in terms of information sharing in order to tap into what he described as huge opportunities at their disposal.

Senior Economic Advisor at UNDP, Udo Itukudo

Giving an overview of the Guidelines, an Economist at ISSER, Prof Charles Ackah explained that the Guidelines is to enable the MMDAs unlock their potential as well as harness the benefits of AfCFTA

He added that the Guidelines requires the local Authorities to put in place necessary structures to help in enhancing local economic development.

Prof. Ackah revealed that as a result of AfCFTA Africa can boast of an increased export and Income of 560 billion dollars and 450 billion dollars respectively.

Dr. Kodjo Abrampa, Nana Dankawuso I and Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi

The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Hon. Michael Okyere Baafi who launched the National AfCFTA Guidelines appealed to the MMDAs to take advantage of it since they stand to benefit immensely.

The launch was graced by The UNDP Special Economic Advisor Mr. Udo Itukudo and Board Member of NDPC Nana Appiagyei Dankanwuso I, all of whom stressed the benefits inherent in the Guidelines and called on the MMDAs to take advantage of AfCFTA.

Source: www.truthtvnews.com

Editor: Nii Amon