Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, has urged African nations to promote trade among themselves in order to improve living conditions on the continent.
He said that Africans must divert their spending to the continent in order to promote better continental integration, which is the primary goal of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
When Mr. Lain Walker, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, was invited to dinner at Togbe Afede’s home in Ho, he made the call.
“It’s unfortunate that commerce between African nations amounts for just approximately 16% of total African commerce, while the situation in Asia is quite different.”
“We feel that if Africans can trade among themselves, our expenditure that generates revenue elsewhere will likely to generate revenue here as well. As a result, we would be able to expand our industries, create employment for the youngsters, and, of course, improve our people’s living standards,” he stated.
The Agbogbomefia pointed out that the African Union established the AfCFTA to save internal commerce, which would need broad support. As a result, traditional leaders on the continent must band together to help political leaders achieve the desired integration, growth, and development.
Togbe Afede said that he was supporting the notion of a continental union of traditional chiefs to that purpose.
“As a result, I will be advocating for the formation of an African Traditional Leaders Union. Yes, the African Union is doing all it can, and there is a lot of optimism that the AfCFTA would boost African trade. We conventional leaders, I feel, can also contribute.”
“I believe traditional leaders coming together can impact Africa’s togetherness more, can promote better understanding among Africans, can promote more empathy and love among Africans than our politicians can do because we are in touch with the grass roots. An African Traditional Leadership union can go a long way to augment what our politicians are doing so we can have a stronger Africa- an Africa that is more together,” he said.
Source: CITINEWSROOM
