Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, Ghana’s deputy minister for trade and industry overseeing International Trade, spearheaded the nation’s representation at the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 26 to 29 February 2024.
Attended by trade ministers from 166 WTO member states, MC13 is pivotal, focusing on crucial agreements spanning agriculture, fisheries, development, WTO reform, dispute settlement, and e-commerce.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of recent geopolitical tensions, impacts of climate change, increased energy costs and pressures for global economic fragmentation.
In her opening address, Asiamah-Adjei stressed Ghana’s and Africa’s imperative to articulate concerns, particularly in development and agriculture.
She urged WTO members to bolster commitment to multilateral trade by making requisite concessions, signaling unity to the global trading community.
She will also participate in the Sustainable Trade Africa meeting on MC13’s sidelines. Ghana aims to leverage this forum to attract global investment, positioning itself as Africa’s premier investment destination, bolstered by hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat and a steadfast commitment to Africa’s development and global market integration.
Ghana’s delegation includes Emmanuel Antwi, ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and WTO in Geneva, Ebo Quaison, Minister, Commercial to the WTO, Mickson Opoku, head of Multilateral, Regional and Bilateral Trade, and Yaa Kyerewaa Baasi, all representing the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana.
