The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Afua Asabea Asare is challenging various Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) not to wait for the current overlapping global crises of war and covid and its attendant disequilibrium to simmer down before it takes action.
According to the CEO, the current exposure of the economies to the vagaries of the external environment must serve as a turning point in its trading dynamics.
Speaking at the 2nd Annual General Assembly of the ECOWAS TPO Network in Accra, she said "The consistent mention of the hikes in prices, soaring unemployment, shortage of essential commodities, supply chain disruptions and the depressing statistics churned out daily, is meant to strengthen our resolve as a team and to remind us of the monumental task we have as TPOs to strive to increase trade flows amongst ourselves. We do not have the luxury of time to wait for the current overlapping global crises of war and COVID and their attendant disequilibrium to simmer down before we take action"
"Mr. Chairman, I know it may sound clichéd to lament on the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, but it is imperative that we copiously remind ourselves of the bottlenecks, as we seek ways to traverse the monumental challenges occasioned by these two events."
Madam Asare also revealed that it has the ability to forecast with certainty when the current headwinds are going to ease for economies, industries, and individual companies to be at their productive capacities.
She added that TPOs must get to a point where value chain actors in the region, through the power of demand and supply, can easily locate each other to strike business deals without the hustle of moving round and round.
"As leaders, we cannot continue to do the same things and expect different results. This network should pursue programs and projects that engender significant transformations in the lives of our people. It should be the conduit and the platform on which business partnerships and synergies are created and deployed. For us at GEPA, we are ready to contribute our quota to ensure a successful implementation of the activities that are going to be outlined here"
"One positive outcome of the pandemic has been the digitalization of TPO processes. Online business dealings have increased considerably and TPOs have been forced to adopt and adapt. I believe members of this network would consider digitalization as one of the means to boost trading across the globe. In GEPA, we have set up the IMPACT Hub as an example of physical IT space that provides multiple support programs to our cherished exporters. Many of the activities we intend to implement as a network, I reckon, will have IT as the fulcrum for deployment"
"Governments and other relevant bodies must be ready to support TPOs in the region to prosecute programs that are regional in nature. The ITC, the ECOWAS Commission and our key partners must therefore be commended for this initiative."
"The advent of the AfCFTA regime presents a different construct with respect to trading in the region and trading with other RECs in Africa. Our ability to consolidate the gains we have chalked as a region and use such gains as the platform to move into the AfCFTA, will greatly impact our trade flows to Africa"
On his part, President of the ECOWAS Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO) Network, Dr. Ezra Yakusak said "Since I assumed leadership as the President of the ECOWAS TPO Network, I have come to terms to appreciate and cherish our collective commitment, sacrifice, and resilience which we have continued to demonstrate through prompt responses to meetings, contribution of innovative ideas and valuable resources"
He added that theses significant efforts are very commendable and sure paths that will expedite and accelerate tremendously positive paradigm shifts towards the realisation of the collective goal of economic integration and significantly increase trade within ECOWAS, Africa and beyond.
He stressed that since the last AGM, members of the Network have successfully executed a plethora of activities despite the challenges associated with covid-19 pandemic.
"I want to say a very big thank you to all members and leaders of various Technical Committees for these outcomes. My appreciation also goes to the ITC team, most especially Ms. Miyoba and Mr. Ben Imamo who have been working tirelessly to ensure that all the Technical Committees hold their meetings regularly"
"My distinguished colleagues, you will recall that at the last AGM, the former President presented a proposed workplace of the Network encompassing activities to be executed from July 2021 to June 2022 for your consideration"
"The workplace included various areas of initiatives focusing at strengthening the Network governance bodies and branding through its official registration"
Taking his turn, the Team Leader, Trade and Micro Division of European Union, Tim Dolan said "EU is delighted and we commend the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission and all TPOs from all the regions and internationally"
He assured that the EU is ever ready to support and partner ECOWAS and West Africa to ensure that regional economic integration meets the needs of the private sector towards increase in productivity, competitiveness and sustainability development.
He stressed that the EU will ensure growth and improve the livelihoods and employment especially for young people.
"We know that far reaching decisions will be agreed in the coming days"
Executive Director of ITC, Pamela Coke-Hamilton congratulated GEPA for organising such a great event.
She thank EU for its financial support.
"The ECOWAS and TPO Network is essential for ECOWAS' effort to build a stronger regional economy, which will provide a springboard for successful participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area"
The ECOWAS Commission Representative praised Dr. Asabea Asare and Pamela Coke-Hamilton for holding such an outstanding WTPO Conference.
"Take risk, drive innovation, promote sustainability and bring growth. By living these examples, TPOs will be a catalyst for transformation"
"While challenges of SMSs are well known, it is also important to recognise that of TPOs"
He called for a collective effort in ensuring trade goes on well among the various TPOs and ECOWAS.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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