#SaveTheDate: African AntiCorruption Dialogue 2021 - 9-11 November, 2021

Dear friends,

Kindly find important information below on an upcoming AU Anti-Corruption Board conference.

Check out #AfricaAgainstCorruption on twitter.

EK

Media Advisory: Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) series 2

 

Media Advisory

AFRICA PRIVATE SECTOR SUMMIT (APSS) SERIES 2

Theme: Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giants in the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) 

What:     The inaugural Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) was held in March 2020 under the theme "Righting the Wrongs of Doing Business under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement." The conversations focused on the collaborative role of the private sector, governments, international bodies, academia, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in creating an enabling environment for facilitating intra-African trade in readiness for the AfCFTA

In light of the success of Series 1, the organizers are organizing Series 2 of the APSS. The theme of the Summit is: 'Awakening Africa's Sleeping Giants in the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)". The High-Level Summit will convene stakeholders for a unique collaboration that is expected to generate goodwill and commitment from both the African Private and Public sectors in implementing key recommendations geared towards optimizing the benefits of the AfCFTA.

Who:     The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), together with the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the European Union will convene African business giants, industry players in the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), policy makers and investors. 

When:     October 19-22, 2021

Where:    Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana 

To follow the discussion online: 

https://zoom.us/u/aejK2FiRjW

Webinar ID: 921 0037 1977

Participant ID: 393800

Passcode: 401882

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Senait Afework (Ms.)
African Trade Policy Centre, ECA
Email: afeworks@un.org

OCTOBER IS AFCFTA POLICY MONTH

📌 *OCTOBER IS AFCFTA POLICY MONTH*

_a service from the Office of Deputy Executive Director, *Afcfta Policy Network* outlining meetings APN is participating in and/or involved in organising_

*_#SaveTheDate_*

1. 🗒️12 October -- *_Connecting African Markets & Peoples_* : *AfCFTA, Free Movement of People*

_...panel of three experts would discuss the objectives of the AfCFTA in rationalising RECs and facilitating the movement of people on the continent, from different perspectives._

Venue: ONLINE, (ECDPM)

2. 🗒️13 October -- *_Young Entrepreneur's Roundtable Exchange;

_Presentation on AfCFTA -- by E K Bensah.Jr, AfCFTA Policy Network_* 

Venue: *Nairobi*; ONLINE, Accra, Ghana (All Africa Conference of Churches)

3. 🗒️14 October -- *_Virtual Strategy Session on Re-designing Investment Governance_* 

Venue: ONLINE

4. 🗒️14-15 October -- *_Technical & Policy Dialogue on Climate-Smart Agriculture_* 

Venue: ONLINE, Accra, Ghana (FARA)

5. 🗒️19-22 October -- *_Africa Private Sector Summit_* (Series II) 

Venue: LABADI Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana

www.africaprivatesectorsummit.org

6. 🗒️20 October -- *_Africa Supply Chain in Action 2021_* 

Venue: ONLINE

7. 🗒️25-27 October  -- *_Africa Globalized Investment Summit_*

Venue: LABADI Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana

www.afcftapolicy.net

8. 🗒️28 October -- " *_Effects of Climate Change on African Trade Revolution_*"

Venue: ONLINE

https://bnionline.zoom.us/j/91790031733?pwd=KzdGWFVRVWlGWTVrZ3JsSUVBd3FWUT09

#MoreSoon

📌www.afcftapolicy.net

📌www.instagram.com/afcftapolicyghana 

📌www.twitter.com/afcftapolicyGH

Accountability Music Awards opens nominations for 2021

Accountability Music Awards opens nominations for 2021

Arusha, 29 September 2021 - Nominations have officially opened for the 2021 Accountability Music Awards (AMAs). The 2021 AMAs are a collaboration between Accountability Lab, the ONE Campaign and the African Union to honour African musicians whose music calls out the vice of corruption or advocates for good governance through the fight against corruption..

By providing a platform for conscious musicians, the AMAs aim to galvanise citizens in demanding greater transparency and accountability from institutions, corporations and the African citizenry. The campaign also recognises the critical role that music can play in getting citizens involved in anti-corruption reform by shifting norms and behaviours.

Nominations can be submitted before October 18, 2021 via the campaign website, www.accountabilitymusicawards.org, www.au.int andhttps://www. anticorruption.au.int/en. Five finalists will be selected for a continent-wide, public vote, with the overall winner announced on International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2021. The campaign is looking to celebrate artists who express a clear and cohesive idea centered around accountability. The songs should encourage citizen engagement, solidarity with social justice efforts and reinforce the values of democratic and accountable societies. 

Executive Director of Accountability Lab, Blair Glencorse, said the AMAs, which ran for the first time in 2019, are an exciting way to begin to shift norms: "We're looking for artists who are using their voices to engage citizens around critical challenges in their societies. The more we can do to celebrate and lift them up, the more we can begin to popularise their messages and shift understandings of the problems". 

ONE in Africa Executive Director, Edwin Ikhoria, said: "These AMAs aim to celebrate and honor a zealous young generation of artists in Africa who are using music as a tool to increase public consciousness and inspire its people. These awards play a critical role in stirring a sense of purpose and elevating the messaging needed to develop a continent such as ours."

Charity Nchimunya, the Executive Secretary of the African UnionAdvisory Board on Corruption (AUABC), observed that 'Music is a such a powerful tool in connecting people across different divides, and through the AMAs, young and old alike can be connected with one voice in promoting integrity, accountability and anti-corruption. Are you that young artist that can help in connecting people to say no to corruption? If yes, stand up and be counted'.

The inaugural AMAs previously celebrated Chioma "Cill" Ogbonna, a Nigerian-based musician, and her song "All You've Got" as the overall winner. The song encourages citizens to take an active role in pushing for social and political reform in Nigeria. Fellow Nigerian and hip-hop legend Folarin Falz, real name Folarin Falana, came in second with his song 'Talk,' which challenges the promises of security and economic prosperity offered by Nigerian policy-makers. Kenyan Afro-pop group Sauti Sol, Malian singer-songwriter Fatoumata Diawara and Zimbabwean dancehall artist Platinum Prince were also among the award finalists.

About Accountability Lab

The Accountability Lab makes governance work for people everywhere by supporting active citizens, responsible leaders and accountable institutions. We are reimagining how to build accountability to support a world in which resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly and people lead secure lives. 

About ONE

ONE is a global movement campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, so that everyone, everywhere can lead a life of dignity and opportunity. ONE believes the fight against poverty isn't about charity, but about justice and equality. Whether lobbying political leaders in world capitals or running cutting-edge grassroots campaigns, ONE pressures governments to do more to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, and empowers citizens to hold their governments to account.

About the African Union

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The AU is guided by its vision of "An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena." 

For more information, contact:

sheena@accountabilitylab.org  (Communications Director - Accountability Lab) kealeboga.mokomane@one.org (Communications Manager - ONE)

ApollosD@africa-union.org (Communications- African Union) katuuC@africa-union.org (Communications - AUABC.)

*ACCESS TO FINANCE*: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEED TO ENGAGE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS FOR AFRICAN TRADE INSURANCE (ATI)

Accra, 22 August, 2021

*ACCESS TO FINANCE*: CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEED TO ENGAGE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENTS  FOR AFRICAN TRADE INSURANCE (ATI)

Ahead of the two-day roundtable on "Single Currency and Fintech to Boost Intra-African Trade and Enhance AfCFTA Implementation" scheduled to be held in Dakar, Senegal from 23-24 August, think-tank Africa Private Sector Summit (APSS) wants to take the opportunity to remind stakeholders about the importance of the African Trade Insurance (ATI) in the conversation on AfCFTA and financing.

APSS believes that ATI is not sufficiently-engaged by Chambers of Commerce (the business community at St large), and that the Chambers of Commerce need to engage their respective governments to become members of ATI. If all 55 countries were members of ATI, this would help celebrate the Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT), as it would enable them access direct financing for the business community backed by ATI through insurance risk.

If access to finance is a perennial and persistent problem for AU Member States business community, it is arguable that, with ATI, this challenge is to a large extent resolved. 

Already, ATI supports African governments and businesses to raise finance from international banks at acceptable interest rates because of its credit rating. This enables a reduction of their debt-burden. 

Secondly, in the event of contracts requiring a sovereign guarantee, ATI is able to provide the requested guarantee in lieu of government. Third, ATI adds value to local enterprises by facilitating credit access for local enterprises. 

To date, there are only 18 member States of the AU that have fully subscribed to the ATI. 

In 2017, ECOWAS came closer to developing a relationship with ATI when it moved a step closer to realising the establishment of an Investment Guarantee corporation for West Africa with the inaugural meeting of a Project Implementation Committee held in May 2017. In 2016, ECOWAS waived the idea of establishing a new agency and decided to work with ATI instead. It was then agreed that up to 7 ECOWAS Member States could potentially join ATI, increasing the share capital  by as much as USD100 million. 

In conclusion, given the central role Chambers of Commerce play in the private sector conversation around AfCFTA, it is incumbent on them, now more so than ever, to consider engaging their governments for ATI' s membership in more strategic ways for access to finance.

Governments will continue to be an important interface for Chambers of Commerce, reason for which Chambers must engage them to ensure inclusiveness on the conversation on access to direct finance. 

In addition, any type of inclusiveness  needs to ensure that the Pan-African Chambers of Commerce & Industry (PACCI), which is populated by Chambers of Commerce across the continent;  African Business Council(AfBC); and business associations are all part of the conversation. 

AfBC remains the umbrella body to all businesses at the AU.

ATI will be represented at the panel discussion on Day 2 of the upcoming conference on Single Currency scheduled for Dakar.

Watch out for APSS Series 2 and 3 coming up in October and November respectively.

www.ati-aca.org 

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

Roundtable on Single Currency and Fintech to Boost Intra Africa Trade and Enhance AfCFTA Implementation August 23 to 24, 2021

When:  Aug 23, 2021 09:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time

              Aug 24, 2021 09:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pfuypqjgjHddHXj1C9gr2YhPoWpJSntgs

 

NOTE:- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ENDs

E.K.Bensah Jr

Head of Communications Unit

Africa Private Sector Summit

Mobile: +233.268.687.653 / +233.55.833.85.47

Twitter: @ekbensah / @BizWrongs

Instagram: @ekbensah

www.facebook.com/africaprivatesectorsummit

Issued by:

Emmanuel.K.Bensah

ekbensah@gmail.com

   

COMING UP ON NEXT EDITION OF AGENDA 2063 TV SHOW -- an interview about African Medecines Agency

(Still in the business of making history)...in a *CONTINENTAL EXCLUSIVE*, Agenda 2063 TV Show is the ONLY media programme to interview key staff working on *African Medecines Agency* to help unpack the AMA after reaching its proverbial 15 ratifications. In an age of *vaccine nationalism*, and a public health pandemic in covid-19, what future portends for the AMA to disrupt Africa's health narrative?

 I shall be speaking to Dr Ndomondo from NEPAD- *AU Development Agency* for way  forward. #AfricanHealthWeWant #AfricaWeWant #Agenda2063

AAU TV is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Agenda 2063 TV Show

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 875 1467 3646

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Next Edition of Agenda 2063 TV Show: Celebrating Doreen Nawa (Zambia)

In next edition of *Agenda 2063 TV Show*, I will be interviewing *Doreen Nawa*, who was nominated by her peers in the official NEPAD-AUDA *Agenda 2063 Media Network* as one of the most hard-working journalists promoting Agenda 2063 from Zambia.

I am doing two things with this interview -- helping celebrate hard-working reporters promoting Agenda 2063, and giving visibility to the Agenda 2063 Media Network, which was established in 2018 by NEPAD-AU Development Agency to bring together journalists across the Continent to champion Agenda 2063. 

Ghana's country Champion is the host of the Show and is also a proud member of the Network. 

This is *dedicated to all reporters* doing their best to unpack Agenda 2063 narratives: the space is here!😁🔥

AAU TV is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Agenda 2063 TV Show

Time: Aug 11, 2021 02:30 PM Africa/Accra

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87050633631?pwd=TGRsbEwycWJjdWNESk1hYTZQZFJjZz09

Meeting ID: 870 5063 3631

Passcode: 713548

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TENDER FOR PREPARATION OF A PRIVATE SECTOR BILL OF RIGHTS TO ENHANCE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFCFTA

Accra, 7 August, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

TENDER FOR PREPARATION OF A PRIVATE SECTOR BILL OF RIGHTS TO ENHANCE IMPLEMENTATION OF AFCFTA

We are pleased to announce a consultancy for the preparation of a Private Sector Bill of Rights to Enhance Implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

This tender is one of the three outcomes of an MoU that was signed between Association of African Universities (AAU) and Pan-African Chamber of Commerce (PACCI) in March 2021. 

The second is for the establishment of an Educational Trust Fund; and a corresponding working relationship between private sector and academia.

The AAU in collaboration with PACCI, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the European Union (EU) and the private sector, organized an African Private Sector Summit on, "Righting the Wrongs of Doing Business in Africa" in March 2021. This summit brought together stakeholders from industry, governments, academia, and civil society. 

Attended virtually by three Presidents: Botswana, Rwanda (represented by a Minister) and Niger (represented by a Minister), one of the outcomes of the week-long event was a call for a Model Bill of Rights for an Enabling Business Environment in Africa to Enhance Implementation of AfCFTA. This is premised on the notion that an enabling operational environment for the private sector in Africa would help support the implementation of AfCFTA. The final Bill will be validated by stakeholders, including member States, universities, and civil society organisations (CSOs) for validation. 

The key objective of the Bill of Rights is intended to address pertinent issues for the seamless implementation of the RECs and AfCFTA protocols.  It is to help Universities produce a skill-set for private sector.

In this respect, it forms a cardinal part of the conversation triggered by the meeting for a concerted and sustained conversation between African private sector, academia, consumer organisations and citizens.

Funded under an EU/ECA project on advocacy and sensitization of AfCFTA, the following should, at a minimum, be explored and covered in proposing the Model Bill of Rights:

1. National trade policies

2. National monetary and fiscal policies

3. National investment policy 

4. The enabling environment for doing business in Africa in the context of judicial system.

5. Capacity constraints of businesses in Africa 

6. Role of multilateral and other international organizations in promoting business in Africa (WTO, UN/UNECA, AU, RECs, ITC, IMF, WB, Lending Institutions, etc.)

You can find more details in the link below:

https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=160911

In the meantime, we wish to notify the public that Series II commences in hybrid format here in Accra from 19-21 October, 2021. Series III will take place in Rwanda from 16-19 November under the theme "Action Plan for Implementation". 

FOR MORE INFORMATION & INTERVIEWS

E.K.Bensah Jr

Head of Communications Unit

Africa Private Sector Summit

Mobile: +233.268.687.653 / +233.55.833.85.47

Twitter: @ekbensah / @BizWrongs

Instagram: @ekbensah

www.facebook.com/africaprivatesectorsummit

Issued by:

E K Bensah Jr

+233.833.85.47

   

*MAIDEN REPORT OF #WAMKELESPEAKS*

*MAIDEN REPORT OF #WAMKELESPEAKS*

by _E.K.Bensah Jr_

*August 2021*

*Introduction*

On 24 June, 2021, Secretary-General of Afcfta made a 26-minute presentation at a "Summit", which was organised by regional integration think-tank, AfCFTA Policy Network, to assess the "State of AfCFTA Trading Six Months On". 

As part of continuous monitoring of Agenda 2063 and its seven aspirations, Deputy Executive Director of APN, E K Bensah Jr, undertook to examine his speech and identify the extent to which his speech reflected 7 aspirations of Agenda 2063. To this end, Bensah put his speech through an "APN-ometer".

*Methodology*

The 26-minute video was divided into five videos of around 4.5 minutes each to make it easier to pay greater attention to the rhythm of the speech and how closely Mene was sticking to Agenda 2063 aspirations. The 7 aspirations were tabulated against the videos and we measured which aspiration Mene was referring to in each video.

*Results*

In video 1, Mene refers to "market integration" and "seamless movement of goods and persons". This a reference to aspiration 2 that speaks to an "integrated continent". 

Video 2 also refers to market integration (aspiration 2), but touches on aspiration 1 when Mene argues that Africa has never had.this.opportunity before as a continent. This opportunity is consistent with aspiration 1, which calls for a prosperous continent. 

Video 3 also calls our attention to aspiration 1, which is a prosperous continent when Mene draws our attention to Africa's industrial capacity to be celebrated. It also refers to aspirations 6 and 7, when he announces that there will be a protocol in women and for a dynamic young population that will be "a huge market." Mene also announces there will be an Afcfta Business Forum for private sector and CSOs.

In Video 4, Mene refers to Pan-African Payment Settlement Systems platform, and how that will resolve the cost of currency convertibility. He also speaks to availability of an Adjustment Fund. These are consistent with aspirations 1 and 2. Aspirations 6 and 7 are revisited when Mene talks about the African Trade Gateway, where SMEs across the Continent can speak to each other; and how tariff will be an industrial tool. 

Finally, in video 5, Mene harks to aspiration 2 (an integrated continent), when he admonishes Africans on needing to implement daily challenges and difficulties, failing which we will not succeed. He concludes AfCFTA will benefit women in trade and SMEs, which speaks directly to aspiration 6, which calls for an inclusive and people-centred Africa where women and youth are included.

In the videos, there was no reference to aspirations 3 (good governance); 4 (peaceful and secure Africa); 5 (Africa with a strong, cultural identity). 

For us, Mene does very well speaking most of the time to aspirations 1, 6 and 7, but his speech needs to be more reflective of all 7 aspirations. Because of this, we will give him 4/7, just under 50%.

___________

*About #WamkeleSpeaks*

As part of innovating education on Agenda 2063, the office of Deputy Executive Director of APN in collaboration with AAUTV is introducing *#WamkeleSpeaks*

#WamkeleSpeaks is the start of an all-important project seeking to identify the extent to which speeches by the Secretary-General of AfCFTA  go to *streamlining 7 aspirations of Agenda 2063*

#WamkeleSpeaks will help continue the spirit of challenging people on education of 7 aspirations by getting them to think *how truly AfCFTA Secretariat is incorporating all 7 aspirations of Agenda 2063* and walking the talk of the AfCFTA being a flagship project of Agenda2063

*About Agenda2063 TV Show*

_As part of AfCFTA Policy Network's pioneering work on sensitization of AfCFTA, Deputy Executive Director E K Bensah Jr started hosting the Show in January 2020. He was headhunted by Association of African Universities (AAU) to host the uniquely-named Agenda 2063 Show on AAUTV.  It remains the only Show of its kind in Ghana, West Africa, and the Continent telling authentic stories about Africa's integration on a weekly basis, with a specific focus on reminding audiences about the centrality of Agenda 2063. You can view all videos on-demand at http://TV.aau.org/category/agenda-2063_

STATEMENT ON “AFRICA DOWN UNDER CONFERENCE”

STATEMENT ON "AFRICA DOWN UNDER CONFERENCE"

Members of East Africa Rising have noted with serious concern a poster advertising "Africa Down Under". 

Scheduled to be held in Perth, Australia, for September 2021, the conference showcases 23 white faces who are scheduled to serve as presenters for the three-day conference. 

First, the absence of any African expert on the panel is execrable for a conference that purports to talk about Africa.

Secondly, members of EAR believe that any serious modern conference worth its salt should be more gender-inclusive by identifying women who work in the industry.

Third, perusing the programme, we note there are 5 sessions in total of meeting African diplomatic Corps in Australia. This is too small and too insignificant an attempt to reflect Africans in the programme. Diplomats will never offer a full and robust picture of their country's resources against such an intimidating audience of white faces.

Fourth, two of our members have lived and worked in Perth and attest to Perth being a city that is populated by many Africans. How come it was not possible to make this panel reflective of African intellectuals?

Here are some of the concerned voices from across our membership, which includes Kenya; Zimbabwe; Ghana and many more nationalities of members who work at management and mid-level positions:

"I think this is a conference in Australia (showing the Australian map on the corner) and having heads of all Australian companies who are doing business in Africa or want to do business in Africa…so a strategy meeting..to which no African experts have been invited to…if this was the other way round the conference will be full of caucasian experts who will give us Africans ideas as to how to enter the market or do business in a particular way" (Ghana)

"Exactly! I've just looked at the website for that conference and it honestly looks so extractive but thinly veiled as "collaboration with Africa." I don't even understand what this conference is useful to Africa in any way." (Kenya)

"Clearly the conference isn't about "building Africa " but rather Opportunities that can further be exploited in Africa.

Aussies are only looking into their best interests." (Kenya)

"…It'll happen in Perth. Perth has one of the largest African populations in Aussie (at least it did when I lived in Aussie)." (Kenya)

"So it's targeted for the population in the location of the event? I would like to know, if you were to host an event that talks about collaboration with Koreans for instance, wouldn't you be hosting the event in a predominantly Korean settlement?🤔" (Zambia)

"In the quest to decolonise the world reprentation matters. It's not ok to have an all WHITE MALE panel discussing African exploitation" (Zimbabwe)

"I also noticed the gender imbalance (but looking at their website or the website of the organizer), it appears manels are a common thing for them." (Kenya)

These African voices are no ordinary voices; they represent voices of professionals who have years of international experience in their respective fields. We are aghast at what looks like a re-visiting of 1885.

At a time when African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has commenced, this conference appears to be an egregious reminder of the contempt for Africans seeking the Africa We Want in Agenda 2063.

We believe even if you are unable to change the panel, you will not just take note of this statement but remember that Africa is on the rise and we will continue to call for greater participation and equity in every sphere where we are mentioned.

@eastafricarisng | +233.268.687.653 www.eastafricarisinggroup.org 

ENDs

About East Africa Rising

Established in 2014 as a sister initiative to the erstwhile "Africa in Focus" Show, the East Africa Rising group is borne out of the recognition that regional economic communities(RECs) can be positively-used to fast-track continental integration through comparative conversations on best practices & synergies between West, East and Southern Africa.

Currently comprising 144 members across 22 countries (across West/Southern/East Africa), professionals include journalists; lawyers; international development consultants; economists; AU staff; staff from regional institutions et al.

Ensuring THE NEW FREE TRADE AREA HAS RULES OF ORIGIN THAT HELP GROW INTRA-AFRICA TRADE

Ensuring THE NEW FREE TRADE AREA HAS RULES OF ORIGIN THAT HELP GROW 

INTRA-AFRICA TRADE

Accra, Wednesday 17 February 2021 ---

How will African countries ensure that the rules that determine the nationality of goods and services traded under the new free trade agreement are transparent, business friendly and simple? 

The AfCFTA Policy Network (APN) is hosting a Zoom webinar with a high-powered panel of Ghanaian and international guests who will address this issue. The panelists include the Assistant Commissioner (Tariff and Trade) Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, Fechin Akoto, the Morocco Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Imane Ouaadil, the  Head of Programs AfCFTA Secretariat, Dr. Francis Mageni, Trade Rules of Origin Expert, Unami Tlhole, the Director of Manufacturing (Quality and Engineering ) General Motors, Shady El Safty, the Managing Director Bank of Africa (Ghana) Mr. Kobby Andah, the Commissioner of Customs Excise and Preventive Service, Ghana Revenue Authority, Col. Kwadwo Damoah Rtd. The event will be held on Saturday 20 February at 2pm.

The forum is organized by the AfCFTA Policy Network in partnership with the Bank of Africa, Group BMCE Bank.0

The Executive Director, AfCFTA Policy Network, Mr. Louis Yaw Afful, said: "The rules of origin are vital to the successful operation of the new African free trade area. In this webinar we hope to hear from experts in public and private sectors about the road map for achieving a set of rules that will stimulate exponential growth in intra-African trade from the current rate of 15 per cent to the predicted rate of 30 per cent."

What is the AfCFTA?

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement has created the largest free trade area in the world measured by the number of countries participating. The pact connects 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) valued at US$3.4 trillion. It has the potential to lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty but achieving its full potential will depend on putting in place significant policy reforms and trade facilitation measures. The free trade pact commenced on 1st January 2021

About AfCFTA Policy Network (APN)

The AfCFTA Policy Network was established in 2019 as the lead and largest international non-governmental organization (NGO) focused primarily as a think tank on African Continental Free Trade Area implementation.

Our Vision 

To be the premier information, communication service and governance network representative of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement within Ghana and the Diaspora, leading the secretariat and wider, policy network with a globally relevant, continental perspective.

Our Mission

To create, develop, and deliver relevant and superior resource, information streams and systems that attract, engage and impact the biggest audience and positively impact the continental network of traders, regulatory authorities, policy makers and lifestyles to assure maximum value.

End

Zoom Meeting Details

 

Meeting ID: 864 8741 5950

Meeting Code: 804657

--

*****************************************************
E.K.Bensah Jr, 
*Deputy Executive Director -- AfCFTA Policy Network-Ghana & Diaspora

*AU Department of Trade & Industry Media Network on Africa's Industrialization
*Agenda2063 Media Network Member
*APRM Communicators Network
*M-D, EcowasBusinessNews.blogspot.com
*Head of Comms & Research & Host -- "Africa in Focus Show" /AIFTV
*former Exec Producer -- XYZ Africa News Bulletin@8

#####
http://www.twitter.com/ekbensah | 
*TEL:+233.268.687.653 / +233.233.311.789 / +233.243.111.789
*eml: ekbensah@gmail.com | africainfocusshow@gmail.com
*Telegram/Whatsapp:+233.233.311.789
AFRICA IN FOCUS: africainfocusshow.blogspot.com
________________________________________________________________________________
EKBENSAH DotNet: Regional integration Intelligence| West Africa-ECOWAS | Communications | Civil society 
_________________________________________________________