Marrakech: Ghana's 3rd Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called for urgent action to address trade barriers and infrastructure challenges hindering intra-African trade. Speaking at the Crans Montana Forum in Morocco, Mr. Afenyo-Markin highlighted the need for streamlined port charges, improved cross-border transport infrastructure, and regional industrial policies to promote sustainable development.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Afenyo-Markin emphasized that despite talks of regional integration, transport networks between Ghana and Lagos remain underdeveloped. He pointed out that modern rail connections are poor and roads are affected by inefficiencies, red tape, and sometimes insecurity. He stressed that failing to build a fluid, predictable, and cost-effective regional trade system forces people to look beyond Africa for trade opportunities.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin, who also serves as the Minority Leader, cited an example of a failed bilateral venture between Moroccan poultry exporters and Ghanaian agribusinesses due to high port charges and tariffs. He expressed concern that many landlocked nations continue to rely heavily on coastal neighbors for access to global markets, yet inefficiencies in port management and security risks along key corridors make regional trade uncompetitive.

The ECOWAS 3rd Deputy Speaker urged a renewed commitment to streamline port charges and customs procedures. He called for investment in cross-border transport infrastructure and the promotion of regional industrial policies to reduce destructive competition and foster trust and policy coordination across the continent.

According to the statement, Mr. Afenyo-Markin's intervention served as a reminder of the urgency to move from rhetoric to reform, particularly concerning trade and infrastructure, to promote sustainable development and regional integration in Africa.