The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has expressed outrage over being excluded from President John Dramani Mahama’s recent private sector dialogue, despite playing a significant role in shaping Ghana’s trade ecosystem.
The association, which has advocated policy reforms and facilitated cross-border trade, said it was the second time it has been left out of such a dialogue since the President assumed office a year ago.
“This is the second time such a Presidential Dialogue has been organised without the inclusion of the IEAG,” said the Executive Secretary of IEAG, Samson Asaki Awingobit, in a press statement issued February 26.
“It’s difficult for us to accept that this is merely an oversight, given our contributions to national trade strategy. We’ve supported the government’s bold trade and economic policy direction, and our Executive Secretary serves on the Presidential Committee on Accelerated Export Development,” the statement noted.
The association argued out that its exclusion undermined the inclusive dialogue needed for Ghana to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “Importers and exporters are central to the success of the AfCFTA framework,” the statement added.
“Excluding us undermines the spirit of partnership needed to realise the full benefits of AfCFTA. We ensure access to critical raw materials, machinery, and intermediate goods necessary for industrial production, while exporters expand Ghanaian products into regional markets, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and support job creation,” it further said.
Against this background, IEAG requested for answers from the Presidency, warning that it will engage within a “more defined and deliberate framework” to ensure its voice is heard. The association remains committed to partnering with government and stakeholders to promote trade, industrialisation, and sustainable economic transformation.
“We hope our recent principled positions and constructive opposition to certain government policies are not factors influencing this repeated exclusion,” the statement indicated, hinting at potential tensions.
“The doors of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana remain open for genuine engagement in the national interest. However, we will henceforth engage within a more defined and deliberate framework to ensure that the voices of our members are duly recognised and respected in matters affecting Ghana’s trade and economic future,” the statement concluded.
