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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.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Intelligence Directorate has arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery attack on an Indian national in Obuasi and a separately planned robbery operation targeting a distribution company in the same area.
On April 16, 2026, Police received credible intelligence that a group of armed men were planning an attack in Obuasi. A police team moved swiftly into the area and arrested suspect Iddrisu Fuseini, also known as “Iddi”, at his hideout in Bedieso, Obuasi.
During interrogation, he confessed to being part of a six-member gang that attacked an Indian national at his residence at New Baakoyeden, Obuasi, on April 12 2026, robbing him of GH₵150,000.00.
He disclosed that the attack was orchestrated following a tip-off from suspect Ibrahim, an employee of the victim, who informed the gang that the victim kept large sums of money.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Shaibu Mohammed, also known as “SM” or “Cicinati”, on 20th April 2026 at his hideout in Gausu, Obuasi. During interrogation, he admitted to participating in the planning of the robbery and confirmed that the gang had further planned to rob a distribution company near Mawuli Hotel in Obuasi.
Investigations have further revealed that both suspects are currently standing trial at the Obuasi Circuit Court in connection with a separate robbery of GH₵600,000.00.
A manhunt is ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices, identified as Khalifa, Edward, Prof, Waddle, Ebbe, and Ibrahim, and to recover a pump action gun and a locally manufactured pistol believed to be in their possession.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
