News
Ghana reaffirms commitment to south–south trade cooperation
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-22-at-17.08.21-720x600.jpeg&description=Ghana reaffirms commitment to south–south trade cooperation', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WhatsApp-Image-2025-10-22-at-17.08.21-720x600.jpeg&description=Ghana reaffirms commitment to south–south trade cooperation', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Ghana has renewed its commitment to strengthening trade and cooperation among developing countries at the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP) Ministerial Meeting in Geneva.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, made this known on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, when she addressed ministers and senior officials from across the developing world.
She welcomed efforts to revive and modernize the GSTP, which was established in 1988 under the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to promote trade preferences among developing nations.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare explained that the GSTP remains a vital tool for expanding trade, investment, and technology exchange among developing countries, especially at a time when global trade faces challenges such as geopolitical tensions, debt burdens, and climate-related pressures.
“Ghana sees the GSTP as a platform to translate our collective market potential into concrete partnerships for value addition, innovation, and sustainable development,” she stated.
The Minister called for a careful and inclusive review of the São Paulo Round outcomes to ensure that future actions align with the current global context and the needs of developing economies.
She said the meeting provided an opportunity to assess progress and map out a practical approach for revitalizing the GSTP in a way that supports development.
Highlighting the president’s vision under the 24-hour economy, Industrial and Agribusiness Transformation Programme, she said Ghana aims to boost productivity, enhance trade competitiveness, and create jobs.
She added that Ghana’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) places the country in a strong position to connect regional and inter-regional markets, which could speed up industrialization and export diversification across Africa.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare also encouraged members to include digital trade, green industrialization, and small business participation in the next phase of the GSTP.
She appealed to UNCTAD to provide technical support to help developing countries make the most of preferential trade opportunities.
Ghana’s participation in the GSTP Ministerial was part of its wider involvement in the UNCTAD XVI meetings, where the country is advocating for fairer trade, regional integration, and technology-driven economic transformation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
