Speaker Bagbin Pitches Ghana as Trade Gateway at Marrakesh Economic Forum

Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has positioned Ghana as a prime hub for African, Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf businesses during the 4th Marrakesh Parliamentary Dialogue in Morocco.

The forum, held June 19 to 20, 2026, was organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and Morocco’s House of Councillors, in partnership with the World Bank and IMF Parliamentary Network.

*Ghana’s “Strategic Advantage”*

Addressing delegates, Speaker Bagbin said Ghana’s location gives it a unique edge for trade.

“Ghana has a strategic advantage which positions the country to boost both intra and inter-regional trade. Not only is Ghana positioned at the center of the world, its location on the West African coast also offers a natural gateway to both landlocked Sahelian states and global shipping lines,” he said.

He cited Ghana’s stable political environment, improving transport infrastructure, and expanding port facilities in Tema and Takoradi as key competitive advantages to attract international business.

*24-Hour Economy, AfCFTA Push*

Bagbin told the forum that government is aligning industrialization and export diversification strategies with its 24-hour economy policy to ensure continuous production and global competitiveness.

As moderator of a special session on Africa, he disclosed that Ghana has rolled out a policy framework and action plan for the African Continental Free Trade Area, plus a National Export Development Strategy. Both target Africa’s 1.3 billion consumer market through value addition, import competition, and job creation.

*Call for Inter-Regional Partnerships*

The Speaker urged economic blocs to move beyond regional integration toward broader partnerships.

“We must move beyond building regional economic silos to constructing formidable relationships across regions especially within the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf states,” Bagbin said.

*Forum Focus, Bilateral Talks*

The Marrakesh forum drew policymakers, civil society and academics to discuss public debt, trade barriers, AI investment, job creation through regional incubators, the Blue Economy, and climate change impacts on food security.

On the sidelines, Speaker Bagbin held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the United Arab Emirates, Niger, and the President of the Moroccan House of Councillors.

The release was signed by David Sebastian Damoah, Director of Media Relations, Parliamentary Service.