The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), says it is hopeful that the President, Nana Akufo-Addo’s appointment as the ECOWAS Chair will help address trade-related issues among members of the Community.

GUTA said this in a statement to congratulate the President on his new appointment as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We are confident that as a leader of ECOWAS and also the host of the secretariat of the AfCFTA, he would use his good offices to ensure that the rules of engagements in these protocols are strictly applied in solving all trade-related matters,” the statement read.

According to GUTA, the President will excel in executing his new roles “given his wealth of experience, knowledge and exemplary leadership, coupled with his full awareness of the enormity of the challenges facing the Community”.

Trade impasse
Over the years, there have been trade disagreements between Ghanaian traders and their foreign counterparts, especially Nigerian traders due to the involvement of the latter in retail business in Ghanaian markets.

This has led to the closure of some Nigerian shops in Accra and Kumasi on different occasions.