The 3rd Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and Minority Leader in Ghana’s parliament, Hon. Alexander Kwabena Afenyo-Markin, has urged for a review of port charges in ECOWAS member states to facilitate smoother trade among African countries.
He emphasized that high port charges in Africa make business transactions expensive and hinder regional trade.
Speaking at the Crans Montana Forum in Casablanca, Morocco, Afenyo-Markin highlighted the need for urgent reforms to reduce port charges and boost trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He cited a personal experience where a potential trade deal between Moroccan poultry exporters and Ghanaian agribusinesses fell through due to excessive port costs, which tripled the total cost and made the venture unviable.
Afenyo-Markin identified several key areas that require attention, including simplifying and standardizing port charges and customs procedures to reduce costs and increase efficiency, Developing modern rail connections and reliable roads to facilitate the movement of goods, coordinating industrial strategies to avoid destructive competition and promote local production as well as fostering Trust and Policy Coordination.
The ECOWAS Deputy Speaker warned that failure to address these issues would force African entrepreneurs to seek opportunities outside the continent.
He also expressed concern over the recent withdrawal of some Sahelian countries from ECOWAS, which could further complicate trade policy and customs procedures within the region.
