VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAR #0153 0291233
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291233Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6068

UNCLAS ACCRA 000153 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO USTR FLORIE LISER, STATE PASS TO NSC PITTMAN, 
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/W AND AF/EPS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD OTRA GH
SUBJECT: GHANA - TRADE MINISTER ON FTA CONSULTATION 
 
REF: USTR AGAMA -EMBASSY ACCRA E-MAILS 1-28-08 
 
   ¶1.  (SBU) Ghana's Minister for Trade, Industries, Private 
Sector Development and President's Special Initiatives, Joe 
Baidoo-Ansah met the Ambassador January 29 and raised the 
issue of a Ghana-U.S. FTA.  The Minister is aware of USTR,s 
desire to visit Ghana to discuss issues and a way forward in 
advance of the POTUS visit.  He concurred with the Ambassador 
that a DVC to review technical and other matters of 
importance to the GOG would be an appropriate and sufficient 
mechanism to move the dialogue.  Baidoo-Ansah had initially 
suggested that the DVC take place this week, but remembered 
that several key staff on his team are currently in Brussels, 
and that he wished to await their return and hold the DVC the 
week of February 3 (the time we understand USTR wanted to 
travel).  The Minister shared with the Ambassador the 
questions regarding concerns that Ghana has regarding 
possible Free Trade Agreement with the United States.  He 
indicated that Ghana has some basic concerns on which they 
need some greater clarity and 
assurance before they are prepared to pursue an FTA. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The key points that Minister Baidoo-Ansah said he 
and his team 
would like to discuss with the USG via DVC are: 
 
a) Given Ghana's status as a developing nation, the Minister 
wanted to know whether there would be developmental content 
in the agreement and, if so, what form it would take.  The 
Minister said that for Ghana it is important to have a means 
to strengthen domestic industry, particularly infant 
industries.  The left, he said, would be vocal and concerned 
about the prospect that nascent industry in Ghana will be 
stifled by an FTA. 
 
b) The Minister would like more information on the level of 
liberalization that would be required of each side and 
whether there would be a transition period (as there is in 
the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European 
Union. 
 
c) The Minister indicated concern about protection for AGOA 
eligible products, stating that it was imperative for AGOA 
products to be sacrosanct. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Comment:  The Minister did not expand on point c; 
however, the fact that he raised it suggests there may be a 
very large set of exceptions to the FTA, or that Ghana simply 
wishes to ensure that the United States does not use an FTA 
to erect new barriers to goods currently included under AGOA. 
 A clear underlying concern for Ghana is ensuring that their 
efforts to start and nurture new industries and diversify 
their economy are not hamstrung by an FTA.  There is also 
some political sensitivity regarding free trade.  There was 
quite a bit of criticism of the EPA, even in its final form 
which provides a lengthy transition period, from 
organizations such as the Third World Network.  End comment. 
 
¶4.  (U) In anticipation of request, country clearance is 
denied. 
BRIDGEWATER