By Celestine Avi
At the Czech-Ghana Business Cooperation Seminar in Accra, President John Dramani Mahama spotlighted the immense opportunities that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers to businesses, urging Czech companies to seize the chance to expand not only within Ghana but across Africa’s burgeoning markets. With Ghana strategically positioned as a key gateway to the continent, Mahama emphasized how this partnership could unlock new avenues for growth and prosperity.
The AfCFTA, designed to create a single continental market for goods and services, holds immense promise for businesses seeking to broaden their reach across Africa’s 1.3 billion consumers. President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s membership in the AfCFTA provides Czech businesses with unparalleled access to the entire African continent, positioning Ghana as a vital gateway for trade and investment in the region.
“Ghana’s membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area presents a unique opportunity for businesses in the Czech Republic to expand their footprint, not only in Ghana but across the entire African continent,” President Mahama remarked. “With over 1.3 billion people in the African market, businesses entering through Ghana will have access to a growing and dynamic market.”
Highlighting Ghana’s ongoing efforts to diversify its non-traditional exports, Mahama pointed to products such as processed foods, textiles, and manufactured goods as key areas of growth. The AfCFTA facilitates easier trade flows, lowers tariffs, and fosters collaboration between African nations, thus strengthening the continent’s economic integration and resilience.
As Ghana positions itself as a critical player in the African market, Mahama believes that Czech businesses can seize the opportunity to partner with local enterprises, tapping into the immense growth potential across multiple sectors. These partnerships, according to Mahama, could be mutually beneficial, fostering innovation and expanding the economic footprint of both countries.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area offers tremendous opportunities for businesses to reach new markets,” Mahama stated. “Ghana’s position as a central player in this continental framework is crucial for unlocking Africa’s trade potential, and Czech companies have a pivotal role to play in that growth.”
President Mahama envisions these strategic collaborations not only enhancing Ghana’s economic development but also serving as a bridge for increased trade between Africa and Europe, underpinned by the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA. Through this strengthened partnership, both Ghana and the Czech Republic can create a sustainable economic future with benefits extending far beyond their borders.
