Gambian Lawmaker Pushes for Practical Implementation of AfCFTA

Gambian lawmaker Hon. Maimuna Ceesay has called on the ECOWAS Parliament to move from what she describes as “integration by mouth” to genuine and practical implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Hon. Ceesay made the call on Tuesday at the ongoing Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, focused on accelerating implementation and shifting from negotiations to “functional integration” to advance the AfCFTA within the sub-region.

She maintained that the region lacks proper translation of talks into action, urging ECOWAS to establish a parliamentary oversight mechanism on AfCFTA implementation.

“Every country should have a commitment. It cannot be just by a verbal note or always by commitment in a message by mouth, but not in action. We have to think of how we can do better for Africa. We have to have a common objective,” she stated.

According to the lawmaker, this effort should be periodically supported by national ministries of trade, as well as the ECOWAS Parliament, to ensure that policies are synchronized for better outcomes.

She added that there is a need to reintegrate trade ministries to devise structural ways to implement the free movement of goods and persons. In doing so, she said, it is pivotal to adopt effective mechanisms and build stronger collaboration.

The Gambian lawmaker proposed the need for a common way of thinking and executing regional issues, adding that this is the way to agree on the AfCFTA. She concluded by reiterating that only then can the sub-region fully translate words into action for the benefit of all member states.