Call us now:
Borderless Alliance, a pioneer since its establishment in 2011, continued its legacy of organizing annual conferences across the West African subregion. These conferences serve as a cornerstone for fostering public and private sector dialogue within the trade and transport industry, engaging a diverse spectrum of stakeholders. Borderless 2023, hosted from October 25 to 26 at the Alisa Hotel in Tema, Ghana, was a testament to this commitment.
The conference drew a distinguished assembly, including companies and professional organizations from the private sector spanning transport, logistics, manufacturing, commerce, and finance. Representatives from regional economic communities (ECOWAS and UEMOA), public sector officials, development partners, government representatives, and regional development partners also actively participated.
Organized in collaboration with Ghana Shippers Authority; the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA); and the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the 10th Annual Borderless Conference was centered around the theme, “Strengthening Regional Agricultural Value Chains to Compete in a Global Market.”
The conference opened with gracious welcome remarks from Ms. Benonita Bismarck, CEO, Ghana Shippers Authority, and Jonas Lago, President of Borderless Alliance. An opening remark by Divine Kutortse, National AfCFTA Coordination Office of Ghana, set the stage, complemented by goodwill messages from Demitta Gyang, Senior Adviser – Customs at the AfCFTA Secretariat and Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Chairman of the ECOWAS ETLS Task Force. The opening segment continued with a message of support from Kudjo Bika, Director – Foreign Trade Division at UEMOA and wrapped up with an opening address from Justin Bayili, Principal Trade Advisor for ECOWAP,
Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, in representation of the ECOWAS Commissioner.
Mr. Ade Freeman, Regional Program Leader for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN/FAO), introduced the conference theme, initiating insightful discussions across four panels.
Mr. Dode Siedu, CEO, Africa Trade Academy (ATA), moderated the first panel on “Challenges and Opportunities for regional agricultural value chains, from a continental perspective,” featuring panelists Mr. Kabir Hassan, Vianney Lesaffre, Naa Densua Aryeetey, and Mr. Moses Atobrah.
The second panel, “Enhancing Access to Finance to promote regional value chain,” also moderated by Mr. Dode Seidu, featured panelists Ms. Bethel Gebremedhin, Dr. Victor Antwi, Schandorf Adu Bright, and Mr. Kwame Attrams.
Day one concluded with a General Assembly for Borderless Alliance Members and a Networking session.
Mr. Nlaliban Wujangi moderated Day Two, starting the day with a welcome address and introducing the third panel on “Digitalization as a tool to transform regional agricultural value chains.” Moderated by Mr. Samuel Agyemang, Executive Producer, Single African Market, the panel comprised Isaac Acquah, Bashiru Musah Dokurugu, Michael K. Ocansey, and Roselyn Siaw.
The final panel, “Promoting joint action to reduce the cost of regional food and agriculture production and trade,” moderated by Mr. Ziad Hamoui, Executive Director, Tarzan Enterprise Ltd. and National Chairman of Borderless Alliance in Ghana, included panelists Demitta Gyang, Timothee Bruneteau, and Justin Bayili.
The panels delved into crucial topics, including practical experiences, women-owned businesses, financing models, digitalization, and the reduction of production and trade costs. The conference concluded with the issuance of recommendations and ended with remarks from representatives of the Local Organizing Committee and closing remarks by Bashiruddine Abdul Haki, Ghana Shippers Authority, marking the success of Borderless 2023 in advancing dialogue and collaboration within the West African trade and transport industry.
Borderless Alliance will continue to engage with its partners and policymakers across the region, to support the implementation of the conference recommendations and advance the theme of the forum, towards enhancing the free movement of food and agriculture products in West Africa.
Participants at the 10th Annual Borderless Conference
