SIAKON MEDIA

Accra, April 22, GNA - Participants at an information session on the European Partnership Agreement (EPA) in Accra have expressed misgivings at the call on Ghana Government to sign the EPA. 

The perception was that EPA was not good enough for Ghana, because it would cripple local industries and further cause disintegration in the West African Sub-Region. 

The session was organised by Delegation of European Union (EU) to Ghana to promote understanding and ensure healthy and informed discourse on matters relating to EPA.

It was attended by students, civil society, diplomats, officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other stakeholders.

Participants questioned provisions of the Agreement describing it as a matter of a "heavyweight against a lightweight" in which the EU member states, were still dictating the pace, posing restrictions to cripple local industries and make Ghana dependent on its major trading partners.

Mr. Cornelius Adedze, Member of Third World Network (TWN) Africa, disagreed with an official of Ministry of Trade and Industry that Ghana could not do away with EPA. 

He asserted that signing the EPA would breed disintegration between West African States.

"For instance, Ghana will not be able to trade with Nigeria or her neighbouring countries if she signs the EPA which will restrict her trade to other partners," he added.

Mr. Emmanuel Awuri, an official from Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that civil society could not operate without the EPA, but explained their agitation as seeking the best for Ghana. 

He commended civil society for its commitment to the process, but called on them to take into consideration the issues at stake, that constitute an advantage and a disadvantage to the country.

Mr. Awuri said only about 10 per cent of Ghana's exports went to neighbouring countries, with a chunk of the exports to Europe, even within shorter transaction periods compared to transacting business in the sub-region.

Ghana, he noted imported equipment and machinery mainly from Europe which was beneficial to industry, stressing that without EPA it would be difficult to obtain these benefits, "there is no way outside the EPA".

Mr. Stig Barlyng, Danish Ambassador to Ghana, said there was the need for EU to organise sessions to clear wrong perceptions in the minds of people and civil society that EPA could not work in West Africa. 

He said people's perception that while Europe was very protective of its agricultural sector and promoting agriculture, it was asking partners to EPA to liberalise and open up their markets, whilst their agricultural sector lacked any form of protection. 

Mr. Barlying observed that the conditionalities in trade were profound especially with regard to food products.

He asked EU not to close its eye on the issues raised by civil society but rather sought for a forum to discuss and clarify issues in order that outcome of the negotiations could be beneficial to all parties.

"We need to see how provisions in the EPA document can be translated into the development of West African Countries," he said.

Mr. Claude Maerten, Head of EU Delegation to Ghana and Mr. David Domes, Head of Economic and Trade Section in Ghana, explained that the EPA would establish a true trade partnership for development.

In addition; it would instil a new dynamic into existing relationship, shifting the centre of gravity from commodities and raw materials towards diversification, international supply chains, service and innovation.

Mr. Maerten said EU continued to offer ACP far better access to its markets than anyone, stressing "Our new Trade Partnership for Development will help ACP countries to become more competitive by lowering import costs and providing access to affordable quality services".

"It will strengthen sustainability through social, environmental or labour rights provisions; support the creation of a transparent and predictable business environment and assist ACP countries to attract the needed investment."

Mr. Maerten said: "Most of the so-called trade-related rules that are proposed in the EPAs have already been foreseen by the EU and ACP countries in the Cotonou Agreement".

He explained that they were issues about trade facilitation, competition rules, and transparency in government procurement, intellectual property rights, labour rights, environmental or social clauses as well as services and investment. 

"But it is clear that it is for West Africa to decide on its own speed and pace," he added.

Mr. Maerten said the final agreement would be designed to be flexible enough to adapt to a changing reality; safeguards and clauses that allow ACP countries to tackle any specific import surges, food price pressures or fiscal crises.

In addition; the asymmetry in market access offers ACP regions the possibility to protect sensitive agricultural production from the outset.

"We have the ambition to cast EPAs that are putting trade fully at the service of development. EPAs are not about simply minimising the cost of change, but fully embracing the potential of trade," he Mr. Maerten.

GNA