{"id":2405,"date":"2025-11-17T17:49:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:49:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parliamentnews360.com\/?p=2405"},"modified":"2025-11-17T17:49:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T17:49:40","slug":"pap-trade-committee-calls-for-stronger-intra-african-trade-in-wrapping-up-mission-to-ghana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parliamentnews360.com\/index.php\/pap-trade-committee-calls-for-stronger-intra-african-trade-in-wrapping-up-mission-to-ghana\/","title":{"rendered":"PAP Trade Committee Calls for Stronger Intra-African Trade in Wrapping Up Mission to Ghana"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters has concluded a four-day working mission to Ghana, with members reaffirming the need for stronger intra-African trade, efficient border management, and accelerated commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to the media after a visit to the Noepe\/Akanu border post, Hon. Rodney Cloete, a Member of Parliament from Namibia and a member of the PAP Committee, praised the cooperative spirit displayed by border officials of Ghana and Togo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are here at the Noepe one-stop border post, and my observation first and foremost is the cordiality between the two countries and the members working together,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have also been reminded of how much trade moves through these two sides, which is a very good sign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hon. Cloete highlighted improved free movement across the border, noting that citizens are able to travel using national ID cards\u2014a development he described as a positive milestone for African integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese are very good signs for the integration of Africa and the economic growth of Africa,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colonial Borders and Bureaucracy Still a Challenge
The Namibian legislator pointed out that despite progress, Africa continues to grapple with structural barriers rooted in colonial-era boundaries and bureaucratic administrative systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe biggest challenge is the colonial history that created these borders. On top of that, we have inherited administrations that tend to be very bureaucratic, and these limit us,\u201d he observed. \u201cWe need to be much more agile and open to trading with each other and sharing in the economic prosperity within the continent. Nobody is going to come and save us. We have to save ourselves as Africans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ghana Praised for Strong Pan-African Commitment
Hon. Cloete commended Ghana\u2019s leadership and strong political will toward Pan-Africanism, noting that several government officials had reaffirmed this commitment during engagements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe biggest thing I have noticed is the political will in Ghana to push for the Pan-African spirit. You can hear that from the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Interior, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs,\u201d he said. \u201cWith Ghana\u2019s history of Pan-Africanism, they are the ideal country to lead us forward so we come together as Africans.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call for African Funding for AfCFTA
He expressed concern over continued external funding for AfCFTA operations, stressing that African institutions must be sustained by African resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe cannot have donors or foreign institutions funding such a big and important institution for the continent such as the AfCFTA,\u201d he argued. \u201cIf each of the 55 African countries contributes at least US$1 million, that will be enough for the AfCFTA Secretariat to function effectively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that improved funding would ensure border posts such as Noepe are adequately equipped with the infrastructure and tools needed to facilitate seamless trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tracking Countries Yet to Sign Up to AfCFTA
Hon. Cloete disclosed that the PAP will intensify efforts to monitor and advocate for countries yet to ratify or fully sign up to the AfCFTA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the Pan-African Parliament, we need to start tracking which Parliaments have not signed up and ensure we bring them on board,\u201d he said. \u201cMembers of the PAP can return to their national legislatures and push for the adoption of AfCFTA because it is crucial to the continent\u2019s growth and the future of our young people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mission, which began on Monday, forms part of the PAP Committee’s broader mandate to assess member states\u2019 readiness and progress toward the implementation of continental trade protocols, customs integration, and free movement objectives under the AfCFTA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters has concluded a four-day working mission to Ghana, with members reaffirming the need for stronger intra-African trade, efficient border management, and accelerated commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2406,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51,40],"tags":[258,1410,828,1409,1397,52,1408],"class_list":{"0":"post-2405","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-news","8":"category-pap","9":"tag-afcfta","10":"tag-hon-rodney-cloete","11":"tag-intra-african-trade","12":"tag-noepe-akanu-border","13":"tag-pan-african-parliament-3","14":"tag-pap","15":"tag-pap-trade-and-customs-committee"},"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n