Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana AfCFTA National Coordination Office (NCO), held a national training workshop on rules of origin for NCO stakeholders. The workshop was held in Accra, Ghana, from 23 to 25 April 2025 with the objective to enhance the knowledge and application of preferential rules of origin.

The workshop brought together both public and private stakeholders, including the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, and various Trade Associations.

In his opening remarks, Mr Benjamin Asiam, the National AfCFTA Coordinator, stressed the importance of the AfCFTA Agreement in the context of integration. As host country for the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana plays a leading role in the implementation and application of the continental trade agreement, and the NCO was established as part of the national institutional coordination architecture for harnessing the benefits of the AfCFTA.

During the workshop, participants worked on key concepts for proper origin determination, as well as related operational and procedural issues, including origin certification. In addition, participants discussed specific areas of concern, including the low level of knowledge and use of the FTAs. Participants also raised challenges encountered in their daily dealing with imports and exports for private sector clients.

Participants engaged actively and greatly appreciated the opportunity given by the workshop to exchange knowledge and experiences and stressed that this training would contribute to trade facilitation as well as fair and efficient revenue collection.

The workshop is also beneficial for the trust building process between Customs, other public entities and the private sector and participants commended the cooperative approach between the various stakeholders in the supply chain.

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with public and private sector to equip all relevant stakeholders with extended knowledge for efficient implementation and application of rules or origin.

For further information please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org