THE NATIONAL CROSS BORDER WOMEN TRADERS ASSOCIATION HELD A CLEAN UP EXERCISE AND AND AWARENESS CREATION ON NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

The national cross border women trader’s association has held it annual general meeting to take stock and plan towards its 2025 activities

The annual general meeting was under the theme Unleashing the Power of Cross Border Women Traders: Innovation, Security, Compliance, Resilience and Sustainability,

The AGM was held at the Ghana Custom officers Mess in Aflao in the Volta region with over 300 women traders executives and members from for its Akanu border, Aflao, Elubo. Paga border attended  

Addressing the members and stakeholders, The National President of CB­WTAG, Ms Lucky Rose Honodzi, stated that cross border women played crucial roles in the development of the country, as they tried to improve on the living standard of their families, hence the need to provide them with the necessary support and a levelled playing field to thrive especially the cross border women trader who is faced with a lot gender barriers such as  non-inclusion in practical day to day decision making in the border management system to promote trade

She added that, for ECOWAS  and AfCFTA to achieve its objective of free movement and promoting  trade facilitation in West Africa, the focus on capacity building, cross border women inclusion in trade policy formulation  and support for women led implementation and support at the borders are  Key hence a call on development partners and government to reach the association at the grassroots       

Additionally, the association has noted that it is important for stakeholders to note that whiles calling for compliance, most border officials should be made to understand their role as trade facilitators in supporting the women traders to comply with trade laws within the sub region that will go a long way to help generate the right revenue for the state in its development agenda

The Chairperson of the Gender Sub-Committee on Trade (GSCT) un­der the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), Ms Naah Ayitteh Densua, has assured the Association  that efforts are being made to address the challenges confronting them in carrying out their business activities along Ghana’s borders.

Ms Densua said issues such as security problems at the borders, lack of easy access to financial support, lack of infrastructure, in­cluding markets and health facilities at the borders remained as some of the problems facing CBWT in the country.

Ms Densua emphasized the immense contributions of the association  to the economic growth of the country which required that they be supported to carry out their businesses and trades effectively.

Ms Densua appealed to security agencies at the borders to intro­duce modern communication methods in pictorial form, and placed at vantage areas at the borders which would easily be un­derstood by the women traders and do well to engage more with the association executives  in resolving possible misunderstanding, saying the association is here to help themselves and you the border officials in generating revenue for the state and supporting in security compliance   

The Principal Operations Officer of the Ghana Shippers Council (GSC), Mrs Adelaide Nyame­kye-Addo, commended Trade Mark Africa, an international non-gov­ernmental organization, for sup­porting NCBWTAG to organize it’s first general meeting.

She lauded NCBWTAG for the formation of the Association, which would help the traders to be easily identified saying the shippers authority will be ready to assist the association in trade facilitation.  

Trade Mark Africa, a leading internation organization in trade facilitation and infrastructure development to enhance trade in Africa has executives of Cross border women traders to meet top management of both Ghana and Togo border officials

the objective of the meeting is to official introduce the association and its operations to the officials and to enhance a coordinated platform for the traders and border officials to network and collaborate in trade facilitation activities which Trade mark will be funding soon through it development partners

(Togo First) – Togolese rice is being promoted at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), for the seventh consecutive year. This year, the Expo takes place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10. 

The Togolese delegation, led by the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo), is promoting three specific varieties of Togolese rice: S-Baika, Chapeau Vert, and red rice from the Atakora mountains in Kpalimé. According to CCI-Togo, these varieties highlight the unique qualities of Togolese agriculture.

The Togolese delegation is there to forge strategic partnerships, in line with the country’s ambition to enhance Togo’s rice production and elevate its profile, both domestically and internationally. The move also aligns with the national rice development strategy, particularly through the Projet d’Appui à la Valorisation du Riz Togolais (PAVRIT). This program focuses on boosting local rice production, processing, and marketing.

To enrich the experience of Togolese stakeholders in the rice industry, CCI-Togo has organized activities that include visits to rice fields, processing plants, and packaging facilities in China. These excursions aim to facilitate knowledge transfer and allow Togolese producers to learn from advanced Chinese practices and technologies. In addition, B2B meetings will be held to foster exchanges between Togolese and Chinese businesses, potentially leading to new partnerships.

Krystel Dicoh, a commissioner at CCI-Togo, emphasized that the CIIE is a significant opportunity for Togo. She stated that the event provides a platform to promote Togolese products and attract investment in the agricultural sector.

Esaïe Edoh

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Cross border women traders met with Techsoup to discuss IT partnership. the partnership seek to enhance technology for cross border women IT knowledge and digitization in trade

The meeting held at the head of West Africa civil society institute. The team from NCBWTA comprise the national coordinator Oscar Akaba-Norvixoxo, Head of Financial services and Loan, Mrs. Rebecca Dzidzorgbe Amuzu and Head of Export and Import regulation and policy Advocacy Mad Paulina Abrawkwa

The National Cross Border Women Traders Association, led by  Board Chairman Francis Dagba, met with the Aflao Border Security Council to discuss ways to enhance trade facilitation for women traders

The association’s  aims to address the challenges women face in cross-border trading, including security and safety concerns, compliance with migration laws, and revenue generation . The association’s national coordinator, Oscar Akaba, highlighted the need for proper traceable revenue collection systems at land borders, as current policies seem to focus only on formal and large-volume goods

In a Welcome address by the Chairman of Aflao Border security counsel and Sector commander of the Aflao revenue collection of Customs  Mr. Joseph B. Allan applaud the establishment of the association saying this will help the stakeholders identify the women traders leaders and help in addressing  the numerous challenges the women face

According to him, lack of knowledge on compliance though not an excuse are the major impediment of small scale cross border women and leading them to mostly fall foul to the  law and cause them to loose their capital and increase poverty.

He called on the executive to engage stakeholders continually to abreast themselves with updates of laws regarding the cross border  trading industry.

He further applauds them for the data collection drive by registering all cross border women  traders and assured them of their doors open to help the association achieve it’s objective of practical trade facilitation in line with AfCFTA

The Board chairman of the NCBWTA thanked  the council for receiving them and assured of a lasting corporation to empower the cross Border Women at one hand and aid the stakeholders of achieving it’s mandate at the border

Cross-border women at Akanu receive training on immigration processes | Ghana News Agency (gna.org.gh)https://gna.org.gh/2023/10/cross-border-women-at-akanu-receive-training-on-immigration-processes/

The Board of Directors and national management team of the National Cross Border Women Traders Association mourns the loss of our beloved and visionary leader, Nancy Akos Henodzi, the pioneering Chairwoman of the Akanu Branch. Her untimely passing at 46 years leaves an indelible void in our hearts and organization.

A Trailblazer and Champion

Nancy’s leadership and dedication transformed the lives of countless women traders. Her unwavering commitment to empowering women and promoting cross-border trade will forever be etched in our history.

Key Achievements

1. Established the Akanu Branch, paving the way for women traders in the region.

2. Fostered partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders.

3. Mentored numerous women, inspiring entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

4. Advocated for policy reforms, improving trade conditions.

Remembering Her Legacy

Nancy’s infectious smile, compassionate heart, and resolute spirit will be deeply missed. We honor her memory by continuing her remarkable work.

Condolences

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Nancy’s family, friends, and loved ones. May they find strength and solace in the impact she made.

Celebrating Her Life

We will celebrate Nancy’s life and achievements through:

1. A memorial service at the Akanu Branch.

2. Establishing the Nancy Akos Henodzi Scholarship for women traders.

3. Naming the Akanu Branch’s conference room in her honor.

Rest in Peace, Nancy

Your selflessness, vision, and leadership have left an enduring legacy. You will forever be in our hearts and memories.

Signed,

OSCAR AKABA –NORVIXOXO

National Coordinator

Cross Border Women Traders Association