WT/MIN(17)/ST/70  
 
18 December 2017  
(17-7010) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. ALAN JOHN KWADWO  KYEREMATEN  
MINISTER OF TRADE AN D INDUSTR Y 
GHANA 
I am sure I will be preaching to the converted if I stand before this august Assembly and attempt 
to pontificate about the importance of the multilateral trading system in promoting growth and 
development around the world. The fact that many of us have tra velled long distances to attend 
this meeting is itself a demonstration of our commitment to the cause for which we are gathered 
here in Buenos Aires.  
 
I believe there are three fundamental challenges that confront us as a member driven 
organisation. First  is our inability to reconcile our differences, and subordinate our individual 
interests for the benefit of the greater good. This I believe is an indictment on all of us - rich, poor, 
big, small, developed, developing, least developed etc.  Second, is the very laborious and often 
divisive nature of the Geneva process of negotiations and consultation. For example, how do we 
explain the fact that we do not currently have a draft text from Geneva before us for our 
consideration, even if incomplete? We need to remember that Ministerial meetings are not 
designed to be primary negotiating forums. They are essentially meant to provide political and 
strategic guidance to resolve outstanding issues arising from the Geneva process. Aligned to this, 
is the problem of o vercrowding and recycling of issues brought before Ministerial meetings. Third, 
are the complexities arising out of the current categorisation of member states under the WTO and 
the implications for taking on different obligations. Fourth, is the poor impl ementation of 
commitments made by member states in respect of various disciplines, and the lack of 
enforcement thereof.  
 
All the above observations in my humble opinion, point clearly to one conclusion: the need for 
reform in the WTO. The challenges confr onting us are symptoms of deeper problems which need to 
be addressed in a substantive way.  
 
Having said that, if there was ever a time in global history when the importance of trade as a 
catalyst for growth has been manifested, then that time is now. For m any of us in Africa, there are 
two key elements that have dominated our development narrative in the last few years. First is 
industrialisation and the second is trade.  In my own country for example, the President of the 
Republic has articulated a new vis ion of a “Ghana beyond Aid”. This means that our development 
focus is gradually shifting from aid to trade and investment. Against this background, we have 
embarked on a very ambitious and comprehensive ten point agenda for industrial transformation. 
This includes among other things,  a "One District One Factory"  initiative, under which Government 
is working with the private sector to establish one major industrial enterprise in each of the 216 
Districts in Ghana to bring industrialisation to the doorsteps o f the ordinary people. Secondly, the 
"One Region One Park"  initiative, under which the Government is again working with  the private 
sector to establish at least one major industrial park or special economic zone in each of our ten 
administrative regions. Thirdly, the establishment of a number of strategic anchor industries that 
will diversify our economy beyond cocoa and gold and create new growth poles for the Ghanaian 
economy.  
 
The significant expansion in industrial capacity to be realised from these i nterventions, requires an 
aggressive trade promotion agenda focusing on both the domestic and export markets.  
 WT/MIN(17)/ST/70  
 
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  In this regard, the critical role  being played by the WTO in setting trade rules and enforcing them, 
enhancing market access opportunities, remo ving trade barriers across nations, resolving trade 
disputes, and fostering sustained growth and employment opportunities for all, cannot be 
overemphasized.  
 
Let me conclude by stating that the delegation from Ghana is looking forward to a balanced 
outcome  from this Ministerial meeting that will incorporate the interests of both developed and 
developing countries, and in particular the LDCs.  
 
Firstly, to reduce significantly, the Overall Trade Distorting subsidies currently prevailing, as well 
as the elimi nation of harmful subsidies in Agriculture, to ensure a fair global agricultural trading 
system. Talking about harmful subsidies, we also expect the elimination of those subsidies that 
contribute to overcapacity and overfishing in the fisheries sector. Sec ondly, we expect a 
permanent solution to Public Stockholding for food security purposes. Last but not the least, we 
expect consensus that will lead to enhanced engagement and consultation on investment 
facilitation and e -commerce for substantive considerat ion in our next Ministerial meeting.  
 
Ghana is committed to the success of this Ministerial Conference and the sustainability of the 
multilateral trading system.  
 
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