The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, has argued that Ghana does not necessarily need China’s proposed zero-tariff access deal, urging the government instead to prioritise the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
According to Mr. Okyere Baafi, Ghana would gain far more by deepening trade relations within Africa than by seeking expanded access to external markets. He described the AfCFTA as a powerful tool for building a stronger, self-reliant continent through increased intra-African trade.
“As we speak now, about 80% of the African market remains untapped. We must trade among ourselves,” he stated.
His comments come after President John Dramani Mahama announced at the 2025 China, Africa Summit that Ghana would sign a zero-tariff access agreement with China by the end of October 2025. The deal is expected to give Ghanaian exports duty-free entry into the Chinese market.
The President’s statement followed China’s offer to African nations in response to the United States’ recent 10% tariff on African exports. China has since pledged to open its market to African goods without restrictions, presenting the initiative as a gesture of partnership and economic solidarity.
However, Mr. Okyere Baafi, who also serves as the Ranking Member on the Trade and Industry Committee, cautioned that such an agreement might not be in Africa’s best interest. He warned that while the initiative may appear beneficial on the surface, it could undermine progress made under the AfCFTA and entrench Africa’s dependence on external markets.
Citing trade data, the lawmaker noted that China’s exports to Ghana rose by 46% between 2020 and 2024, while Ghana’s exports to China increased by only 11% within the same period , a clear indication, he said, that the trade relationship remains unequal and heavily tilted in China’s favour.
He argued that zero-tariff deals of this nature often offer short-term relief but fail to strengthen local industries or empower African economies in the long run.
Mr. Okyere Baafi therefore called on the government to focus on maximising opportunities under AfCFTA, which already brings together 54 African countries under a single free trade framework. He stressed that by improving regional production, export competitiveness, and logistics, Ghana could achieve sustainable growth without depending on imbalanced trade arrangements with larger economies.
“The AfCFTA gives us the real opportunity to expand our markets, promote Ghanaian products, and strengthen our industries,” he said, urging policymakers to prioritise African partnerships over external ones.
Discover more from Hot Stories Ghana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
