The Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) is embarking on a research survey to assess the knowledge that Ghanaians have on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the declaration of Accra as the ‘commercial capital of Africa’.
The survey is expected to be held in Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and Koforidua. According to a press release issued on Tuesday, February 1, the survey will further assess the private sector’s readiness towards the implementation of the AfCFTA as well as provide a comprehensive and reliable information source to help the government, local authorities, and private economic sectors to build up socio-economic development plans to improve intra-African trade.
“This initiative will generate a diagnostics report which would help to develop practical steps or a road map in addressing the gaps and challenges,” the release signed by Lead Research Fellow in charge of Policy and Advocate at GITFiC Gerald Ekow Woode said. “The quality of the survey is greatly subjected to the information provided by our experienced field personnel.”
A call for enumerators was publicly circulated in October and November 2021. More than 800 applications were received from the general public. The 800 applicants were narrowed down to 20 after a rigorous selection process.
The 20 finalists were, in December 2021, taken through various preparatory stages. n January 2022, the 20 finalists have met all requirements and have been fully certified to carry out this assignment.
The two-page survey questionnaire has been carefully vetted to reflect the quality response expected from the business community in the selected regional capitals. The field enumerators will reach out to about 6,000 industries, companies, and SMEs across the five selected regions in Ghana.
“We believe that with a high responsible spirit, available enthusiasm, and a strong desire to contribute to the development of the country, the general public will kindly grant our field personnel the audience to fulfill their duties in the various establishments ear-marked for this exercise.”
GITFiC implored the public to cooperate with the field personnel for the project.
GITFiC works with the private sector and governmental sector in Africa to drive the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), broader development agenda of the continent as defined in the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063) and global trade issues. It works under three thematic areas, namely Trade, Trade Finance, and Logistics to enhance intra-Africa trade, regional integration, trade liberalization, trade policies, and practices of the continent.
Source: 3News.com
