By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
Hon. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, has called on industry leaders to intensify efforts to boost regional trade, invest in efficient logistics, and empower the youth to drive West Africa’s economic transformation.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) Summit in Accra, Hon. Debrah emphasized the urgent need to unlock the region’s economic potential through stronger intra-African trade.
He noted that trade within the Economic Community of West African States remains low, accounting for just 10–12 percent of total trade, and stressed the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area as a key instrument to enhance regional value chains and improve global competitiveness.
Hon. Debrah, however, acknowledged major barriers to progress, including poor logistics systems, high trade costs, and limited access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He urged stakeholders to take decisive action to address these constraints and position the region for sustainable growth.
Supporting his call, Sampson Ahi, Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, highlighted the need to align trade facilitation efforts with the capabilities of SMEs, while tackling inefficiencies in logistics, certification processes, and production costs.
Also contributing to discussions, Kamal-Deen Ali of the Ghana Maritime Authority underscored the critical role of logistics in ensuring that trade agreements translate into real economic benefits, outlining ongoing infrastructure projects to improve regional connectivity.
Meanwhile, Harriet Gayi of TradeMark Africa pointed to the untapped potential of regional trade and called for deliberate support for youth- and women-led businesses, alongside reforms to reduce trade costs and modernize border systems.
The summit brought together policymakers, business leaders, and development partners to explore strategies for strengthening regional integration and unlocking West Africa’s economic potential.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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