By Miriam Oparebea, GNA
Tema, Feb. 25, GNA – The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has expressed displeasure with the Presidency over its repeated exclusion from the presidential dialogue with the private sector.
The Association described the development as a deliberate omission, noting that this marked the second time in a year that it had been sidelined from high-level discussions chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.
In a statement signed by Mr Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the IEAG, the association questioned why a key stakeholder in the trade sector was left out of a dialogue aimed at positioning Ghana as a production hub for West Africa.
“This is the second time such a presidential dialogue has been organised since the president assumed office a year ago without the inclusion of the IEAG. Following last year’s exclusion, we were informed that it was an error on the part of the presidential team. The recurrence of the same situation this year makes it difficult for us to accept that this is merely an oversight,” it stated.
The association noted that its exclusion was particularly troubling given that its executive secretary serves on the Presidential Committee on Accelerated Export Development, which recognises the group’s technical expertise.
The statement emphasised that importers and exporters were central to the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has the potential to increase intra-African trade by over 50 per cent.
“Importers ensure access to critical raw materials, machinery, and intermediate goods necessary for industrial production, while exporters expand Ghanaian products into regional markets. Excluding such a key constituency undermines the spirit of inclusive dialogue needed to realise the full benefits of AfCFTA,” the IEAG stated.
It further suggested that its principled positions and constructive opposition to certain government policies might be the reason for the repeated exclusion, though it refrained from full speculation.
“We seek answers from the Presidency regarding what appears to be a deliberate omission by the organising team,” the association added.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Kenneth Odeng Adade