Ghana eager to boost trade with Botswana

Chakalisa Dube | Thursday March 12, 2015 16:41

 

Mahama was speaking during his visit to the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) Francistown abattoir on Tuesday afternoon as part of his three-day state visit that ended yesterday. “It is vital to promote trade among African countries. We will exploit other ways within which we can increase trade with Botswana beyond the beef sector.

I am optimistic that this visit will open more trading opportunities with Botswana,” he said. Mahama added that he was impressed by the way Botswana’s beef sector and general economy is operated. He also stated that Ghana is among the largest producers of cocoa and can supply Botswana and her neighbours with its cocoa products.

The Ghanaian president who was accompanied by other senior government officials stated that his government would also market Botswana beef in other western African countries. “We will also exploit the possibility of buying Botswana beef because from what we have witnessed, it is quality and the BMC plant is well run. We buy most of our beef from South America,” explained Mahama. “If there is quality beef in Botswana, why should we not import it? he asked.  Over 85 percent of Ghana beef imports are from South America and the United Kingdom, since it is cheaper to ship meat than source it from local farmers. Beef imports have doubled in Ghana over the last ten years.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration minister, Hannah Tetteh stated that she was also impressed by  Botswana’s heavy investment on staff development in the beef sector.  She noted that her country would also look into adopting strategies used by Botswana to train its human resources in their economic sectors.

Acting Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Ralotsia and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi were with the Ghana delegation.  Ralotsia indicated that Botswana was on a mission to find more markets for its beef in other countries, in a bid to diversify its economy.