'We need answers' — Awingobit angry with Mahama over presidential dialogue snub

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana IEAG has strongly criticised the Presidency for what it describes as its repeated exclusion from the Presidential Dialogue with the Private Sector.

The Association said it views the latest omission not as an administrative oversight but as a deliberate sidelining of a major stakeholder in Ghana’s trade and commerce space. It noted that this is the second time within a year that it has been left out of high-level discussions chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.

In a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Mr Samson Asaki Awingobit, the IEAG questioned why an organisation representing a core segment of the trade sector would be excluded from a national dialogue focused on 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,” the statement said.

The Association described the development as particularly disturbing, pointing out that its Executive Secretary serves on the Presidential Committee on Accelerated Export Development, a role it said reflects official recognition of the group’s technical expertise and contribution to national trade policy.

The IEAG stressed that importers and exporters play a central role in the success of the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA, which is projected to boost intra-African trade by more than 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 Association stated.

It further suggested that its consistent and principled positions, including its constructive criticism of certain government policies, could be behind the repeated exclusion, although it stopped short of making a direct accusation.

“We seek answers from the Presidency regarding what appears to be a deliberate omission by the organising team,” the statement added.