The Echoes from AEFJN No. 30 - July August 2016 are now available online. 
1406 TRADE WORKING GROUP NEWS June 2014
- Consider alternatives to EPA in Ghana
Third World Network, a civil society organisation, has called on the government of Ghana to consider alternative means available to it to enter the European market rather than signing the controversial Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Signing the EPA would lead to the total collapse of the Ghanaian economy, which was already facing serious challenges. The provisions that existed in the current EPA text did not favour ECOWAS, especially Ghana but favoured the interest of the EU, which, according to him, was inimical to the growth and development of the Ghanaian economy.
- The Settlement of Disputes in the SADC Free Trade Area
In preparation for the 2014 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in August, the civil society has prepared a submission focuses on dispute settlement matters. This submission puts forward an argument for activating the dispute settlement mechanism of the (SADC) Protocol on Trade. Dispute settlement was part of the original design of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) but the actual mechanism has never been put into operation.
3. EPA Update June 2014
Compromise solution found to Nigeria’s concerns, but way forward remains unclear
The group of West African nations asked to come up with a way of assuaging Nigeria’s concerns over the West African Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Nigeria has until now blocked the endorsement of the EPA. A modification of the liberalisation schedule would have meant a re-opening of negotiations with the EU on the most controversial aspect of the EPA in West Africa.
EAC in wait of a Ministerial Meeting
A long-awaited ministerial meeting is in the planning in the EAC region, where Karel de Gucht is expected to attend. For an overview of outstanding issues in the EAC EPA negotiations see our previous report on the region.
4. Action for Alternative Trade
Due to the unfair trade policy on International trade, AEFJN invites to everybody, religious institutes, Christian organizations and any other group to address a petition letter to your Governments, World Trade Organization, World Bank, and European Commission, to adopt an alternative Trade policy to eliminate some of the structural causes of poverty and strength the economy of developing countries. The new Trade policies must respect human rights, be approved by Parliaments, and include society participation. AEFJN proposes you to address the petition letter that you can find at the end of this document and send it at least to three of the actors with competences on Trade policies. You can adapt the petition letter to your country and reality. We include as well in this document the address of the international institutions.
Let’s work together for a new model of Trade. Let’s eliminate one of the structural causes of poverty by promoting fairer conditions for developing countries! You can find a letter model that you can adapt to the reality of your country HERE.