Three non governmental organisations (NGO) in Tema have urged African governments not to bow to pressures from the European Union (EU) to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as it has the potential to hinder progress of African countries. The EPA, which is to be signed in December this year would allow free trade with the EU. Opposing the agreement at a press conference held in Tema,Kwabena Okai Ofosuhene, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Abibimann Foundation urged African leaders to subject the matter to public debate to seek views of the masses before giving it the green light. Speaking on behalf of the African Youth Coalition, the Ghana Trade and Livelihood and the Abibimann Foundation, he was of the view that this could lead to major shortfall on governments’ revenue since tariffs on EU goods would be waived. According to him, while the move would lead to the collapse of industries because they would not be able to withstand competition from the EU, poverty level would rise, due to workers’ redundancy. The EPA, he said, would also hinder the much anticipated government and regional integration, aggravate regional segmentation and erode economic gains made by countries. Mr Ofosuhene impressed on West African states to consider the disadvantages in the EPA agreement and take keen interest in its negotiations before agreeing to it in order to save the citizenry as it would mean selling out our sovereignty. The CEO underscored the need for the Ghana government and other governments to openly declare their stand on the EPA and allow the public to express their views so that when passed or not would be the concerns of all to avoid confusion. He advised African leaders to emulate the governments of Nigerian and Cape Verde whose leaders had objected to the EPA to ensure a formidable stand. This would be in line with the Cotonou Agreement, which states that the EPAs shall be negotiated during a five-year preparatory period starting September 2002 and concluding on December 31, 2007. He explained that their concerns have heightened because of the result of the outcome of the just ended ECOWAS Ministerial Monitoring Committee on the EPA in Accra “which became obvious that our leaders are looking forward to signing the EPAs to satisfy the quest of the EU come December 31, 2007”. Source: GNA