The Vice President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Dr. George Dawson-Ahmoah has asked government to make available the complete document of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for critical review .
“We would like to have a complete document of the EPA agreement to review so we would have a positive understanding and be able to relate this to all our members,” Dr. Dawson-Ahmoah said.
According to him, the results of the review will later be presented to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with various stakeholders to iron out outstanding issues regarding the EPA, Dr . Dawson-Ahmoah noted that there are imminent dangers associated with the agreement.
“There will be significant losses, it will affect revenue…….Ghana’s lack of capacity will hinder it from tracking goods from the EU markets,” he stated.
He further stated that EPA will fragment the local market.
He therefore stressed the need for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to build on the integration of its own trade systems rather than depending on external systems such as the EU market.
“When is ECOWAS going to wake up to come together, harmonise our system and break the bridges between Nigeria, Togo an the other ECOWAS countries?,” he asked.
The EPA has faced various opposition from, civil society groups , the Christian Council and other oganisations.
Government however says it cannot be coerced by civil society groups not to sign the EPA.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana