Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system, while calling for a stronger African voice in ongoing negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Speaking at the opening of the Fifth Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Trade and Industry in Accra, the Minister urged West African countries to adopt a unified position as critical trade negotiations resume in Geneva following the inconclusive outcome of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14).
The meeting brought together trade ministers from across the ECOWAS region to review the outcomes of MC14, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, and to coordinate the bloc’s approach to negotiations that have now been referred back to the WTO’s Geneva-based processes.
MC14 ended without a comprehensive ministerial declaration, leaving several key issues unresolved, including agriculture, fisheries subsidies, development concerns, e-commerce and proposals to expand the WTO’s investment agenda. Ministers were also unable to reach consensus on extending the long-standing moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, one of the conference’s most closely watched issues.
Addressing her counterparts, Ofosu-Adjare stressed that decisions currently being negotiated in Geneva will have far-reaching implications for African economies and should not proceed without meaningful African participation.
“Despite the efforts of many delegations, including those from our region, MC14 closed without a comprehensive ministerial declaration. Work towards a so-called Yaoundé Package now continues in Geneva. The rules governing our farmers, fisherfolk and digital entrepreneurs are still being written, and too often without our full voice in the room,” she said.
She reiterated Ghana’s support for multilateral trade cooperation but emphasized that international commitments must ultimately advance Africa’s development priorities.
“Ghana remains firmly committed to a rules-based multilateral trading system. Every multilateral commitment we undertake must serve one purpose: advancing the development of our people. Where it constrains that objective, we must push back together and with one voice as the Geneva process unfolds,” she stated.
The Minister argued that a coordinated ECOWAS position would strengthen the region’s negotiating leverage at a time when global trade rules are increasingly being shaped by larger economies.
“That unity of voice is economic logic that gives us leverage to negotiate. As a community of 12 member states, we represent a market of more than 315 million people, with a combined GDP approaching US$700 billion. No trading partner can afford to ignore a bloc of that size,” she added.
One of the most significant unresolved issues from MC14 was the expiry of the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions on March 30, 2026. The moratorium had prevented member states from imposing tariffs on digital products transmitted electronically, including software, digital media and other online services.
Amid the deadlock, more than 70 WTO members agreed to move forward with the implementation of a plurilateral E-Commerce Agreement. The agreement covers areas such as consumer protection, electronic payments, data protection, digital trade facilitation and commitments among participating members not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions.
The Accra meeting is expected to shape ECOWAS’ collective position ahead of the next phase of negotiations in Geneva, where member states will seek to ensure that Africa’s trade and development interests are adequately reflected in future WTO outcomes.
Related Posts
