GHANA/RWANDA – Ghana and Rwanda have entered into an agreement to enhance value-addition of agro-allied products in the countries, boosting trade and investments between the two nations.
As part of the pact, the world’s second largest producer and exporter of cocoa, Ghana, is set to establish a chocolate production plant in Rwanda, supplying the unit at the East African region with processed organic cocoa in a form of coca nibs or cocoa Liquor, as shall be determined.
Meanwhile, Rwanda, the second largest producer of pyrethrum globally, accounting for approximately 15 % of the world market share, will establish a formulation plant in Ghana for the production of organic pyrethrum-based pesticides for crop protection, veterinary use and public health.
This was revealed by Madam Ariella Kageruka, the Head of Tourism and Conversation Department, Rwanda Development Board, as part of recommendations from Ghana-Rwanda familiarisation tours between the two countries, reports Ghana News Agency.
“In order to facilitate easier access to Rwanda and Ghana markets, we recommend urgent establishment of an MoU between product registration and standard agencies of both countries.”
Ariella Kageruka – Head of Tourism and Conversation Department, Rwanda Development Board
She indicated that both countries have agreed to undertake a collaborative research on pyrethrum and cocoa to ensure greater yields to the benefit of farming communities in both Rwanda and Ghana.
This is also aimed to readily avail affordable products in the respective markets, cut on transportation costs and create job opportunities.
“In order to facilitate easier access to Rwanda and Ghana markets, we recommend urgent establishment of an MoU between product registration and standard agencies of both countries,” she said.
Ghanaian officials between March 14 and 20, 2021 embarked on a familiarization tour to Rwanda while a 32-member delegation of Rwandan officials also visited Ghana from June 13 to 20, 2021 to explore business opportunities.
Nana Sarfo Kantanka, the Special Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts of Ghana, indicated that both countries were proud product of great leadership and pledged to maintain the relationship to bring sustainable development to the citizenry.
The Special Adviser called for support from stakeholders for the collaboration to succeed, adding that Ghana- Rwanda had set the tone for others to follow.
The partnership between the two countries, is in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, aimed to boost intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2022.
The AfCFTA began trading on 1 January 2021 and is the largest free trade area in the world in terms of the number of countries covered. It represents a market of 1.2 billion consumers.
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