Position yourselves to take advantage of opportunities under AGOA - Ghana Minister
Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen has appealed for an effective coordination between U.S. development agencies and organizations with regards to what they are willing to offer for the growth and implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
According to him, although AGOA seeks to expand trade investment between the U.S.A. and sub-Saharan Africa, U.S. organisations must come clear on their resources in supporting AGOA on the continent.
Speaking at a capacity-building and skills development workshop in Accra, Mr Kyerematen urged beneficiary countries to also position themselves to take advantage of the various opportunities that exist under AGOA.
He said: “I’m using this opportunity also to request for more effective coordination between U.S. development agencies and organisations in terms of what they offer to assist in the implementation of AGOA.
“The legislation is a market access opportunity but there are many U.S. agencies that are doing great work in terms of supporting our countries or development agenda and they are: USAID, US Exim Bank, US Trade and Development Agency, GDA, the Department of Agriculture, and, so, many agencies doing great things.
“But what we are suggesting to the U.S. government is that, since this is their landmark legislation in support of Africa, let us see how these agencies coordinate their efforts and resources to support the implementation of AGOA in African countries.
“We call on the African Union to coordinate their effort more efficiently and more effectively in terms of how they support member states to take advantage of AGOA.”