The National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC) has reconstituted and inaugurated its 15-member Trade and Gender Sub-Committee to strengthen gender-responsive and inclusive trade in Ghana.
The initiative is expected to broaden the NTFC’s focus to address the needs of women, young people, persons with disabilities and other economically vulnerable groups engaged in trade and agribusiness.
The inauguration took place in Accra on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during the second meeting of the NTFC. Mrs Monica Josiah, Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation, assumed the chairmanship of the sub-committee, succeeding Mrs Naa Densua Aryeetey. The meeting also reviewed progress on the development of Standard Operating Procedures for the import and export of perishable goods and followed up on the implementation of the Customs Time Release Study.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the NTFC, and Director Trade Development at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr. Ebo Quaison, on behalf of the Sector Minister said the committee, established under Article 23.2 of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, brings together public and private sector stakeholders to improve Ghana’s trade environment.
He highlighted Ghana’s role as West Africa’s Non-Tariff Barriers champion and noted that the NTFC’s work would contribute to reducing trade barriers, improving the business environment and enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s trade facilitation agenda, with resources earmarked for the 2026/2027 financial year to support key NTFC priorities.
Acting Regional Director for Anglophone West Africa, Ing. Kwamina Ekremet, said the support would focus on practical reforms, including developing an SOP for perishable goods, implementing recommendations from the Time Release Study and advancing the Trade Information Portal.
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PR & COMMS UPDATES (MoTAI)
