Ziad Hamoui, National President of the Borderless Alliance, revealed that only 17% of Ghanaians have heard of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The low level of awareness could limit the country’s ability to maximise the opportunities offered by the continental trade agreement, he said.
Hamoui noted that the figure mirrors a broader African trend, where an average of 87% of people have not heard of the agreement, according to the third Afrobarometer report. The report highlighted low awareness of AfCFTA across the continent.
Speaking on a media platform on regional trade and border cooperation, powered by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), he called for increased public education to help traders and businesses understand and take advantage of opportunities under the agreement. The awareness gap, he added, was compounded by delays in implementing existing trade agreements, noting that commitments made at continental and regional levels often failed to translate into tangible benefits for businesses.
Hamoui identified three key priorities for advancing regional trade integration: incorporating trade agreements into national laws and policies, educating traders and businesses about their provisions, and strengthening cooperation among institutions responsible for trade and border management. He said the private sector could play a significant role in raising awareness but stressed the need for stronger collaboration with government institutions responsible for implementing the agreement.
He also highlighted the role of Ghana’s AfCFTA National Coordination Office in translating continental commitments into national action, educating businesses and publishing information on trade activities conducted under the agreement. He called for concerted efforts to identify the barriers preventing businesses from taking advantage of AfCFTA and improve access to information about its benefits.
Meanwhile, Professor Paul Nugent, Founder and Chairman of the African Borderlands Research Network, said the gap between policy commitments and implementation remained a major obstacle to regional integration. He said research was needed to establish why existing agreements and policies were not producing the expected results on the ground, and that a better understanding of the experiences of traders and communities in border areas would help policymakers develop practical interventions that address their needs.
