World Bank urges Ghana to expand trade for economic growth
The Regional Director of the World Bank Group, Seynabou Sakho, has stated that expanding trade remains one of the most effective ways to create jobs, increase productivity, and drive long-term economic transformation.
According to her, Ghana can leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area by strengthening regional value chains, improving export competitiveness, and accelerating efforts toward a more diversified export sector.
Speaking during the 2026 Seminar Series in Accra, Madam Sakho explained that although the changing global trade environment presents risks for countries like Ghana, it also offers important opportunities that should not be overlooked.
“For countries like Ghana, this creates risk, but also whenever you have risk, the other side is opportunity. And you should never let the risk prevent you from seizing the opportunities,” she stated.
She noted that the global trading system is becoming increasingly fragmented and uncertain, making collaboration on supply chains, industrial policy, food security, technology, and market access more difficult.
“That means that while countries are rethinking supply chains, industrial policy, food security, technology and market access, they still don’t have that platform to help them do it collectively,” she added.
Madam Sakho stressed that trade expansion remains a major priority for the World Bank Group because of its role in promoting employment, improving productivity, and supporting structural transformation in developing economies.
“So this is a priority area for the World Bank Group because trade expansion remains one of the most powerful channels for creating jobs, raising productivity and supporting structural transformation,” she said.
She further indicated that Ghana is strategically positioned to benefit from deeper continental integration under the AfCFTA framework.
“Ghana has a role within both the region and the continent and beyond. When you see how Ghana’s exports fare, it is a global country when it comes to trade,” she noted.
According to Madam Sakho, Ghana can further strengthen its economic prospects by building stronger regional value chains and advancing efforts to diversify exports.
Despite ongoing global trade fragmentation and uncertainties surrounding supply chains, she maintained that Ghana still has significant opportunities to position itself as a stronger player in regional and international trade.
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