AfCFTA secretariat will be operational before April – Akufo-Addo assures AU

President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union that the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) secretariat will be operational by March 31, 2020.

Making an intervention on Sunday during the closed session of the 33rd AU Summit, currently ongoing in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana as a host nation will ensure an expeditious and efficient process of establishing a permanent secretariat.

Outlining the activities being implemented in line with the said objective, the President said the reconfiguration of the office premises is based on the specific requirements agreed with the AU Commission.

This includes the installation of critical data and IT Infrastructure facilities, security systems, office furnishing, and corporate branding of the AfCFTA office complex.

He also told the assembly that “the acquisition and furnishing of the residence of the Secretary-General of AfCFTA, based on the requirements agreed with the AU Commission” has been completed, with the “initiation of negotiations with real estate companies for residential accommodation for other AfCFTA staff.”

He added that a dedicated booth at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), Accra, is set to facilitate entry and exit requirements of AfCFTA officials, as well as representatives of the Member States, who will be conducting official business with the AfCFTA Secretariat.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated Ghana’s determination to ensure by July 1, 2020, the AfCFTA takes off without a hitch.

Updating the assembly on preparations, he was quick to add that the government has so far sponsored six meetings of the AfCFTA in December 2019 and so far a total amount of US$3 million has been advanced by the government for the establishment and operationalization of the AfCFTA Secretariat.

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