Ghana and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral trade and investment cooperation, as stakeholders convened in Accra on Thursday, March 19, 2026, for the Joint Technical Committee Meeting of the Ghana-UK Trade Partnership Agreement (TPA), marking five years of implementation.
The meeting, held in Accra, brought together government officials, development partners and trade institutions from both countries, alongside representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to review progress, address outstanding issues and chart a path for enhanced cooperation.
On the Ghanaian side, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, described the anniversary as a moment of reflection and renewed commitment.
He noted that the milestone coincides with Ghana’s recent 69th Independence Day celebrations, reinforcing the country’s drive toward economic transformation and strengthened international partnerships.
He highlighted recent trade figures which show a positive trade balance in favour of the United Kingdom, while pointing to a steady increase in Ghana’s exports. He stressed, however, that significant opportunities remain to diversify and expand trade flows between the two countries.
The Deputy Minister called on participants to adopt practical and forward-looking approaches in their deliberations, with a focus on resolving outstanding issues from previous engagements and identifying innovative solutions to enhance trade resilience amid global uncertainties.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the British High Commissioner, Development Director at the British High Commission, Terri Sarch, underscored the significance of the agreement as a cornerstone of the Ghana-UK economic relationship.
She noted that trade between the two countries had grown by nearly 10 per cent over the past year, describing the development as a testament to the strength of the partnership.
According to her, beyond boosting trade volumes, the agreement plays a critical role in driving investment, creating jobs and supporting Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery. She further emphasised the need to increase awareness among businesses in both countries to fully leverage opportunities under the TPA.
Co-Chair of the meeting from the UK side, Paul Whittingham, highlighted the centrality of partnership in advancing the agreement, stressing the importance of building a future-oriented trade relationship.
He noted the growing importance of services trade, describing it as a key area for expansion in the years ahead, and expressed optimism that continued collaboration would yield even greater gains by the agreement’s tenth anniversary.
Representing the ECOWAS Commission, Kolawole A. Sofola conveyed goodwill on behalf of the Commission’s President, noting that the Ghana-UK agreement holds broader regional significance and could serve as a model for regional trade cooperation.
Key outcomes from the meeting, as captured in a Joint Communiqué, underscored a renewed commitment by both parties to accelerate implementation of the agreement and address critical policy and technical issues.
Both Ghana and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to finalising the Rules of Procedure for Dispute Settlement and the establishment of an Arbitration Panel, a key step toward strengthening the institutional framework of the agreement.
The two sides also reviewed progress on Ghana’s 2024–2025 tariff liberalisation schedule, with further technical updates expected from the Ghana Revenue Authority to ensure smooth implementation.
On trade facilitation and market access, both parties agreed to deepen cooperation on Rules of Origin, including plans to hold a dedicated technical meeting to support Ghanaian exporters in transitioning to origin declarations and fully benefiting from the agreement.
The meeting further highlighted the importance of data sharing and evidence-based decision-making, with both sides agreeing to organise a technical session to enhance access to trade data for businesses, investors and policymakers.
Discussions also covered ongoing development cooperation initiatives, including programmes on jobs and economic transformation, regulatory reform and standards development, as well as UK support for Ghana’s implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Both parties reiterated their commitment to addressing market access barriers, promoting economic diversification, and expanding opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, services and novel products, while also engaging on issues relating to geographical indications and preference erosion.
The meeting further emphasised the importance of sustained engagement, with Ghana and the UK committing to more frequent technical and committee-level meetings to fast-track implementation and unlock the full potential of the Trade Partnership Agreement.
As both countries look ahead, stakeholders expressed confidence that the Ghana-UK Trade Partnership Agreement will continue to serve as a vital platform for promoting inclusive growth, expanding trade and fostering long-term economic resilience.
