6 April 2023: Joint communique of the first meeting of the UK-Ghana TPA committee
Published 22 May 2023
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The first meeting of the United Kingdom-Ghana Trade Partnership Agreement (“TPA”) Committee was held on 6 April 2023. The meeting was co-chaired by Professor Paul Kuruk and Brendan McMullan on behalf of Ghana and the United Kingdom (“UK”) respectively. It took place virtually via video conference.
The UK and Ghana remarked on the importance of this first Committee meeting as a historic moment in their bilateral trade relations. The Parties welcomed the value provided through the TPA to Ghana’s exports through its provision of duty-free access to UK markets. Both recognised the importance of the Committee as a framework for coordination and as a means to continue regular engagement and ensure the benefits of the TPA are fully realised.
The Parties discussed the establishment of the TPA’s governance and institutional arrangements. The co-chairs approved and signed the TPA Committee Rules of Procedure which the Committee thereby adopted. The Parties also discussed the next steps on deciding the list of arbitrators and the Rules of Procedure for Dispute Settlement.
The UK gave an update on its trade policy programme, including the launch of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme. Ghana updated on progress being made under the African Continental Free Trade Area (“AfCFTA”) and the opportunities it will present to businesses, as well as the desire to bring together trading arrangements with the Economic Community of West African States in partnership with the UK. The Parties discussed opportunities to boost regional trade under the TPA’s cumulation provisions.
The UK provided details on trade-related development cooperation being undertaken to support the effective implementation of the TPA and enhance trade and economic development in Ghana. This included the UK Trade Partnership Programme, SheTrades, support to the AfCFTA, and British Investment Partnerships such as the Ghana-UK Jobs and Economic Transformation programme and the Agricultural Transformation programme.
The UK and Ghana co-chairs welcomed the constructive discussions at this first meeting of the TPA Committee and looked forward to continuing to work closely together.