Ghana’s Ministry for Trade and Industry has debunked alleged reports of altercations between Ghanaian officials and foreign nationals at the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) situated in Accra.
The Trade Ministry in a press statement responding to a reportage titled Secretary-General of AfCFTA threatens to sack all Ghanaian employees by an Accra-based media house, described the reportage as misleading, disingenuous and designed to cause disaffection between the two groups of working officials – Ghanaians and their foreign counterparts – at the Secretariat.
“It is also intended to jeopardize the cordial relationship between the Government of Ghana and the leadership of the AfCFTA Secretariat,” stated the Trade Ministry.
Setting the facts straight, the Trade Ministry posited that a team of experienced Ghanaian professionals and experts known as the Operational Support Team (OST) was set up at the commissioning of the Secretariat to assist the Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, commence operational activities while formal processes for the recruitment of permanent staff for the Secretariat is activated.
According to the Trade Ministry, the OST from the onset is intended to be a short-term transitional arrangement until permanent staff for the Secretariat are engaged and subsequently recruited.
“The OST since its deployment has had a harmonious working relationship with the Secretary-General and his initial team of foreign nationals. It is therefore erroneous to create the impression, as the report suggests, that the Secretary-General is averse to working with Ghanaian officials,” read part of the statement.
Read details of the press release below:
AFCFTA REJOINDER by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
