Ghana is going to spearhead trade talks and partnerships as it hosts one of the largest gatherings of CEOs of trade promotion organizations at this year’s World Trade Promotions Organization conference in May 2020.

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) won the bid to host this year’s event after beating fellow bidders Egypt, Turkey and Kenya.

Speaking at a meeting with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority on Ghana’s readiness to host the conference, the Executive Director for the International Trade Center Dorothy Tembo said hosting the event in Ghana is timely as the nation hosts the headquarters of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA).

Dorothy Tembo said, “We think it is an opportune time to be in Ghana which we see as one of the leading countries on the continent. We believe this event will give opportunity to the different trade and investment support institutions to get together and discuss how the different institutions can function better in terms of fulfilling the objective of having a better Africa which lies within the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.”

She added, “I understand the CEO of the AfCTA is being hosted right here (ie at the Ghana Trade house) and this is not just a great opportunity for Ghana but also Africa” 

The event is expected to host about 250 delegates from across the world. 

CEOs of trade promotion organizations will get to discuss innovations and effective practices to support export development and partnerships among other trade issues.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) Afua Asabea Asare gave the assurance that plans were far advance to host the event gracefully.

However, in the wake of the coronavirus and concerns of spreading large gatherings, Madam Asabea Asare has affirmed that safety measures will be put in place for the event.

She said, “There’s a large committee working on the event. We are working with the ministry of trade, ministry of health, as well as the national security for an event so huge which, involves the whole nation. 

She added, “We are engaging the health authorities purposely because of what is happening now with the coronavirus outbreak so we know whether it’s ok for us to go ahead with the event.”

The World Trade Promotions Organization conference is being held in Ghana together with the International Trade Center.