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Economic Partnership Agreement between EU and Ghana, enhances opportunities for Ghanaian exporters- Nicholas Gebara
Mr Nicolas Gebara, Team Leader of Compete Ghana, has said the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and Ghana reduces trade barriers between the two entities and this enhances Ghanaian exporters’ opportunities for export to the EU.
He said among the Agreement allows Ghanaian companies to enjoy access to EU markets “duty free, quota free”.
“But there are also some requirements that every exporter must comply with, such as EU quality standards and norms, rules of origin and certifications.
In the process of implementing the EPA, a number of public stakeholders are play a key role in guiding the private sector in their efforts to export to the EU.
Therefore the Compete Ghana Programme has embarked on building the capacity of public institutions and assessed the needs of individual institutions to be involved in the effective implementation of the EPA.
Following individual consultations with public institutions, The Compete Ghana programme organised a validation workshop in Accra to discuss training public institutions on key areas of the EPA in Accra.
Mr Gebara said the EPA secretariat at the Ministry of Trade and Industry are monitoring the processes required in implementing the EPA, and that there were joint committee meetings between Ghana and EU to discuss the progress so far.
He said the EU was financing the capacity enhancement of government institutions that were directly and indirectly related to the implementation of the EPA.
“Every institution has a role to play in guiding the private sector on how to enhance their exports to the EU market, and so we have identified and invited thirteen institutions to know the level of skills they will require to implement the agreement efficiently,” Mr Gebara stressed.
Mrs Justina Mensah, a capacity building expert, said it was very important that the Minisgtry of Trade and Industry and the EU support and make the necessary arrangements to facilitate access to the priority resources identified in the capacity needs assessment of the thirteen institutions.
She said the thirteen public institutions should also use innovative approaches to support the capacity development process of their institutions.
Mr Raffaele Quarto, Trade Counselor, EU Delegation, said they were implementing the project to develop the capacity and skills of Ghanaian businesses and authorities to be able to benefit fully from the agreement.
He indicated that the delegation was implementing other programmes on vocational training, agriculture, and other areas not related to business.
The Compete Ghana Programme is in the context of the Ghana beyond aid vision, to improve economic governance and the business environment, and to maximise the benefits of the EPA for Ghana.
It also would strengthen the competitiveness of Ghana’s exports and enhance Ghana’s integration into the regional and international trading system.
Following the validation workshop and the active feedback provided by the participants, the Compete Ghana Programme will be organising over the next months, training sessions on key areas of the EPA to strengthen the capacity of the selected public institutions to support exporters, manufacturers and farmers in increasing production and meeting standards and quality.
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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There is strength in diversity; let’s live in peace – Zanetor Rawlings urges Ghanaians
Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, to value the peace the country enjoys and to see diversity as a source of strength.
Speaking at the National Youth Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre under the theme “Igniting Potential; Inspiring Change”, she warned against being lured into conflicts and divisions fueled by reckless statements from politicians, traditional leaders, religious figures, or academics.
According to her, many young people have no idea what it means to live in a country torn apart by war, and therefore must not take Ghana’s peace for granted.
She stressed that the harmony among different ethnic and regional groups should be protected at all costs, since it is peace that allows citizens to gather freely and safely.
Dr. Zanetor said Ghana’s development depends on embracing diversity and working together.
She urged the youth to tap into this strength so that Ghana would continue to shine as the “Black Star” of Africa and serve as an example for other nations.
She expressed appreciation to the participants for attending the conference and asked for God’s blessings on the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
