The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established about 34 years ago but has failed to quash the uncountable number of man-made barriers, which prevent trade across West Africa states.
The revised ECOWAS Treaty, which was signed in July 1993, seeks to provide the establishment of a common market through the liberalization of trade by removing obstacles to free movement of people, goods and services in the sub-region.
Recent estimates indicate that an unbelievable number of 87 barriers exist between Ghana and Nigeria alone.
In an effort to overcome such problems, the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana in collaboration with Vintage Visions are expected to host the Ghana-Togo-Benin-Nigeria Business Summit 2009 at the Accra International Conference Centre from October 5 to 7.
At a press conference on Monday in Accra, Michael Adjayi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vintage Visions, said the summit was necessary to identify and proffer solutions to trade obstacles along the corridor, adding, “It would even lead to the creation of bilateral and multilateral agreements between the four states.”
Mr Adjayi stated that there were massive opportunities in the oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, telecommunications, transportation, Information Technology and many other sectors.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Togo's Ambassador to Ghana, Tete Jean-Pierre Gbikpi-Bemissan, who chaired the conference, revealed that the summit would provide a conducive platform for small and medium enterprises and large businesses in these countries.
Ambassador Gbikpi-Bemissan added that the summit would help accelerate economic integration and development through public and private sector collaboration.
The summit would issue a blueprint and communiqué on trade and inaugurate the ECOWAS Business Excellence Awards.
Lead sponsors of the summit include Glo Telecommunications and UBA Ghana, Aero Airline, Alisa Hotels, Le Baron Hotel, Jaria Hotel and Access Bank Ghana.
By Samuel Boadi
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