Ghana calls on Commonwealth to eliminate tariffs to strengthen trade

Ghana has called on the Commonwealth of Nations to prioritise the removal of tariffs and other trade barriers among member states in order to strengthen economic cooperation and expand trade opportunities within the bloc.

Speaking at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in London, held under the theme “The Commonwealth at a Moment of Strategic Opportunity,” Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, encouraged the organisation to position itself as a multilateral platform that promotes open trade rather than tariff disputes.

“We hope to share our thoughts, particularly in offering the Commonwealth as a different multilateral organisation—one that does not believe in tariff wars, but in removing tariffs and trade barriers to ensure we are able to enhance our fortunes,” Mr Ablakwa said.

He commended the Commonwealth for the reforms currently underway and noted that eliminating tariffs and trade barriers would help member countries strengthen their economies and maximise the benefits of cooperation within the bloc.

Mr Ablakwa also highlighted Ghana’s strategic role as host of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat (AfCFTA), noting that the proposed reforms align with wider efforts to promote trade integration across Africa.

He emphasised that Ghana remains committed to advancing economic diplomacy and expressed confidence that the meeting would offer a valuable platform for discussions aimed at deepening economic ties among Commonwealth member states.