The Ministry of Trade and Industry has refuted claims that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is under tension.
On March 14, 2021, Ghananewspage.com reported an alleged disagreement that ensued between the Ghanaian workers and their foreign counterparts at the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, a report in which it was alleged that the Secretary General threatened to sack the Ghanaian workers.
The Ministry in a statement issued on March 16, 2021 did not only describe the story as false and misleading but “disingenuous and is designed to cause disaffection between the two groups of officials working at the Secretariat.
It also added that the story is “intended to jeopardise the cordial relations between the Government of Ghana and the leadership of the AfCFTA Secretariat.”
The Ministry therefore refutes the claim noting that since the deployment of the Ghanaians at the Secretariat, their relationship with the Secretary General and his initial team made up of foreign nationals has been cordial and that nothing warrants their sacking.
The Ministry added that the Ghanaians working at the Secretariat are a temporary staff made up of experts and experienced professionals who are serving as Operational Support Team (OST) to assist the Secretary General while the “formal process of recruitment is activated.”
It indicated that like any other African country, Ghana has a “specific quota for nationals that entitles them to apply for positions and work in the AfCFTA Secretariat.” Therefore when the recruitment process begins for permanent staff, Ghanaians who are qualified would be able to apply.
It assured the public that it will continue to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration to ensure that Ghana “harnesses the full range of benefits from the AfCTFTA as a host country.”
