GHANA, UK MOVE TO DEEPEN TRADE TIES UNDER TRADE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The Ministry of Trade,
Agribusiness and Industry is making significant strides toward the smooth
implementation of the Ghana–UK Trade Partnership Agreement (TPA), following
strategic discussions with high delegation from the United Kingdom.
The talks identified three
priority areas critical to unlocking the full benefits of the agreement.
These
include revitalizing the Ghana–UK Business Council to enhance bilateral
cooperation, advancing regulatory harmonization through the signing of Memoranda
of Understanding (MoUs) between Ghanaian and UK regulatory bodies, and
finalizing rules of origin to provide clarity on trade guidelines.
The regulatory harmonization
process is expected to streamline product certification and facilitate trade.
Ghana’s key regulatory institutions—the Ghana Standards Authority, Food and
Drugs Authority, and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority—will
be central to this process, working closely with their UK counterparts under
the proposed MoUs.
The Chief Director of the
Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Mr. Noah Tumfo, reaffirmed
Ghana’s commitment to fully leveraging the opportunities presented by the
agreement, which offers duty- and quota-free access for Ghanaian exports to the
UK market. He emphasized the government’s priority of using trade as a vehicle
to promote the government’s industrialization agenda.
Ms.Tess Phjppen,
the Trade Advisor for the UK’s delegation reiterated her country’s readiness to
work closely with Ghana to ensure the agreement delivers tangible benefits for
businesses and consumers.
She noted that the TPA remains a vital tool in
strengthening bilateral relations and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Engagements have already been
held with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the
Department for Business and Trade on these key matters.
The incoming UK High
Commissioner to Ghana, who is expected to arrive in Accra by September, has
been briefed on the progress made so far.
The engagement reflects the
shared resolve of both governments to build a more robust and resilient trade
relationship, rooted in mutual respect, transparency, and long-term
development.
These efforts signal a renewed
commitment by both parties to ensure the TPA delivers real benefits for
businesses and consumers through improved market access, streamlined processes,
and stronger institutional collaboration.
