Economic
journalists from across West African have undergone a three-day workshop on
African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as part of efforts to improve
advocacy for the ratification and implementation of the agreement.
The
meeting in Monrovia, Liberia was organised by the sub-regional office for West
Africa of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) from 5 to 7 February 2019
for members of the Network of Economic Journalists for West Africa.
The
event was designed to improve the quality of media coverage of AfCFTA-related
activities in West Africa by enabling journalists to fully understand the
various steps of the process, be informed about the negotiation parameters, and
properly understand the stakes of negotiations for countries.
ECA
West Africa acting director, Bakary Dosso, said the meeting was an opportunity
to exchange and inform the members of the network of the ins and outs of the
continental free trade area.
“This
will, we hope, enable our journalists to be better equipped to inform the
public and key stakeholders on the ongoing process of the African Continental
Free Trade Area.”
The
agreement for the creation of AfCFTA was signed by 49 countries in Rwanda in
March 2018. After the signing, 22
countries have to ratify the agreement before it could enter into force. So far, 18 have countries ratified. Ethiopia ratified last week but is yet to
deposit the instrument of ratification to the African Union. After Ethiopia, three more countries need to
ratify the AfCFTA for it to take effect.
The
ECA West Africa boss expressed optimism that the engagement with the media in
the sub-region will lead to a better advocacy for the ratification and
implementation of the AfCFTA, and to ensure better visibility and dissemination
of African development agenda.
Tei
Konzi, ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, said that a
study of the potential implications of AfCFTA on the ECOWAS member states,
under the supervision of ECA, is underway and that the conclusions will help
make substantial decisions for the rest of the discussions.
The
Liberian deputy minister of administration for the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry, Mr. Wilfrid N. Bangura, said the meeting with the members of the
Network of Economic Journalists for West Africa is expected to boost visibility
and wider dissemination of information and issues relevant to the sub-region
for economic and social development of its member states.