By
Florence Afriyie Mensah, GNA
Kumasi, Nov. 12, GNA
– The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has said there is
the need for African governments to thoroughly discuss border crossing issues
before the implementation of the Free Continental Trade agreement.
Nana Dr Appiagyei
Dankawoso I, President of the Chamber, who made the call, said it is important
for businesses on the continent to have a better understanding on issues
relating to the crossing of borders to avoid the unfortunate situation which is
currently occurring at the Benin-Nigeria border, which is crippling
transportation of goods on that corridor.
Addressing
journalists in Kumasi, after leading a delegation of the Chamber to tour some
businesses in Kumasi, he said, many businesses are losing millions of dollars
in investment as a result of the closure of the Nigerian border with Benin.
The tour was to
afford members of the Chamber the opportunity to familiarize themselves with
the challenges being encountered by some of the affected companies following
the closure of the border.
Among the companies
visited were Adonko Bitters Ghana Limited, Uni-Jay Company Limited and Asamoah
Yamoah Farms.
It was revealed
during the tour that Adonko Company Limited was losing about $500,000. every
week since the closure of the border.
Nana Dankawoso I
said as part of measures to ensure a robust free continental trade, he would
deliver a paper to highlight on some of these cross-border challenges and how
to address them at a conference in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, at the end of this
month.
He said the Chamber
is committed to helping address some of these challenges to enhance business
growth and development to create more employment and improve the economy of the
country.
Nana Dankawoso I
said the Chamber is encouraging its members to take advantage of international
trade fairs not only to market their products but also attract foreign
investments to expand their businesses.
GNA
