A proposal to establish a Ghana–China Market Access Council emerged as a key recommendation at the High-Level Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Forum 2026, held on Thursday, 15 October, at the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra.
Co-hosted by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) and CEIBS Africa, the Forum attracted about 200 participants from government, the private sector, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, development partner organisations, academia, trade-support agencies and the media.
Held under the theme, “From Market Access to Market Success,” the Forum examined the practical steps Ghana must take to convert China’s zero-tariff policy into increased exports, industrial growth and sustainable employment.
The proposal for the Council was raised by Eric Nii Amu Okotokata Dodoo-Amoo, Head of the China Desk at the Ministry of Finance, during the panel discussion. He presented it as a mechanism for improving coordination among the institutions responsible for supporting Ghanaian businesses seeking to enter and compete in the Chinese market.
Although the zero-tariff policy expands market access for eligible Ghanaian products, exporters continue to face constraints relating to production capacity, standards and certification, export finance, logistics, market intelligence and connections with credible Chinese buyers.
The proposed Council would serve as a central coordinating body and one-stop platform for Ghanaian businesses seeking to enter the Chinese market. By bringing together government agencies, financial institutions, exporters, regulators, logistics providers, business associations and Ghana–China trade experts, it would help businesses navigate standards, certification, financing, logistics, market intelligence and buyer connections through a more coordinated system. The Council would also clarify institutional responsibilities, reduce duplication and ensure that exporters know where to obtain the support they need.
IMAGE: A group photograph of participants at the Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Forum 2026, hosted in Accra by ACCPA and CEIBS Africa.
Paul Frimpong, Executive Director of ACCPA, reiterated the importance of the proposal, noting that Ghana needs a coordinated and results-oriented approach to translate market access into actual exports.
“The Council should be an action-oriented platform that brings the relevant institutions together, resolves practical barriers and focuses on measurable export outcomes,” he said.
ACCPA pledged its readiness to serve as a strategic partner in developing the proposed Council. The Centre could contribute through policy research, stakeholder coordination, China-focused market intelligence, institutional partnerships and sustained engagement between Ghanaian exporters and Chinese market actors.
The proposal also builds on the findings of the Ghana–China Zero-Tariff Policy Roundtable previously convened by ACCPA and CEIBS Africa. The Roundtable examined Ghana’s preparedness in areas including standards, logistics, trade finance, productive capacity and buyer engagement.
Participants at the Forum stressed that tariff-free access alone would not guarantee commercial success. Ghanaian businesses must still compete on price, quality, packaging, supply reliability and their ability to meet the requirements of Chinese buyers.
If established with a clear mandate and measurable targets, the Ghana–China Market Access Council could provide the coordination needed to move Ghana from formal market access to sustained export growth in China.
Source: www.sinoafricainsider.com