The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu‑Adjare, has called for the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks at the Noepe‑Akanu Joint Border Post to enhance trade flows between Ghana and the wider West African sub‑region.
The minister made the remarks during a visit to the border post to inspect a walkway installed by Trade Mark Africa.
Speaking to the media, she emphasised that Trade Mark Africa is assisting the Ghanaian government to facilitate business for young people and women, noting that reducing time‑consuming documentation will help their enterprises run smoothly.
She added that any programme targeted at women and youth is important, especially given that about 60% of Africa’s population is young.
“We want this place to be a facilitating trade, not a Border to create problems. We are looking forward to improve situation at this Border where people don’t take too much time, where documentations are done on time, where unnecessary bureaucracy is a thing of the past, where people choose as a preference.
“And so we want this to be a shining example for the whole of Africa that we are almost borderless because things happen in a way that facilitates trade, that helps women and youth to do their business,” she stated.
The minister commended Trade Mark Africa for supporting the construction of the walkway, which she said will help facilitate trade. She also urged users of the border facilities to treat them with care so they will last for the country.
“It’s very exciting what we are seeing this right here, all thanks to trademark Africa and their supporters for putting this walkway together. Now, at this Border Post, we have solar, electricity, and a walkway; therefore, Ghana and Togo are grateful to them. We also want to encourage users of this facility to use it prudently,” she uttered.
Source: Vanessa Elizabeth Nkum
