Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI) has announced the formation of a National Steering Committee on E-commerce and Digital Trade to oversee the rollout of the country's first National E-Commerce Strategy.It would among others, empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and expanding access to e-commerce, particularly for women and rural communities.These were made known at a national validation workshop jointly organised by MoTAI and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) aimed at addressing structural gaps in Ghana's digital trade ecosystem,In a statement issued and copied to The Ghanaian Times last Thursday in Accra, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Mr Sampson Ahi, described the strategy as "ambitious yet practical," emphasising its focus on strengthening trust in digital transactions, improving logistics and payment systems, and promoting inclusive participation."This strategy is ambitious yet practical, promoting trust in the digital space, improving logistics and payment systems, supporting MSMEs to thrive online, and ensuring inclusive access for women and rural communities," Mr Ahi said.The strategy builds on findings from Ghana's 2023 eTrade Readiness Assessment conducted by UNCTAD, which identified key policy and infrastructure challenges.In response, MoTAI formally requested technical support in March 2024 to develop a comprehensive national strategy.The newly formed steering committee, comprising representatives from both public and private sectors, would coordinate implementation and ensure policy coherence across ministries and agencies involved in digital trade and e-commerce development.The validation workshop follows a series of national stakeholder consultations held between June and November 2024.
These engagements helped shape the content of the strategy and fostered cross-sector collaboration.The initiative is supported under a broader UN digital transformation programme, funded by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by UNCTAD, the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).The programme aimed to boost digital capabilities among MSMEs and improve policy environments in developing countries.The head of the E-commerce and Digital Economy Branch at UNCTAD, Mr Torbjorn Fredriksson, stated that, the initiative represents more than just a policy framework, it embodies a collective ambition to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of location or background, has the opportunity to participate in the digital economy."Ghana's commitment to shaping a forward-looking e-commerce strategy is a testament to the country's vision for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation," he added.He added that, the validated and implementation mechanisms in place would help Ghana move a step closer to leveraging digital trade as a catalyst for economic diversification, innovation, and inclusive growth."UNCTAD is proud to support this process, which not only aligns with national development goals but also strengthens the digital capabilities of MSMEs as engines of growth and job creation." BY TIMES REPORTER
