Africans can't meet growth and poverty reduction objectives- Prof Dapaah

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and National Resources, Professor Harrison Dapaah, says African countries cannot meet the growth and poverty-reduction objectives set under the NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program unless member states improve upon trade performance in the agriculture sector and reverse their decline in market shares in the agriculture sector. 

According to him, the loss of market share in regional and international agricultural export markets imposes substantial costs on African economies in terms of missed growth. 

Prof. Dapaah made this known at the opening of a two-week training workshop on the theme, “Enhancing Capacities on International Agricultural Trade Agreements for Development of Regional Agriculture and Food Markets”, at Asante Mampong. 

It is being sponsored by the European Union and being attended by agricultural researchers from Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. 

The aim of the workshop is to enhance the role of the academia in supporting governments and regional bodies in the implementation of the ECOWAS Agriculture Policy within the West Africa sub-region. 

Prof. Dapaah said trade in agricultural products play a crucial role in stimulating economic growth, developing food markets and help to reduce poverty and security. 

Countries in the West Africa sub-region should therefore adopt strategies targeting not only international, but also domestic and regional markets. 

They should be able to facilitate enhanced market access through effective negotiations not only to Europe but also within the sub-region. 

This, Prof. Dapaah noted would facilitate unhindered regional trade in agriculture products. 

The Project Team Leader, Chris Addy-Nayo said the training would improve the analytical and negotiating skills of participants to monitor trade policy developments, explore policy options and manage trade disputes.

GBC