The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) hosted the 2nd edition of the UNICTRAL Days in Africa under the theme “The Use of UNCITRAL Texts in Africa, Trends and Prospects”, in Accra on Monday, 27th November,2023.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Hon. Diana Asonaba Dapaah noted that the theme for event underscored the importance of the UNCITRAL framework in shaping the landscape of international trade within the African region. She indicated that the use of UNCITRAL texts in Africa represents a dynamic trend in the continent’s legal landscape, reflecting a concerted effort towards harmonising and modernising commercial laws. She stated that Ghana has adopted UNCITRAL texts, particularly in the areas of arbitration and commercial law, to create a more favourable business environment. “This reflects Ghana’s commitment to aligning its legal system with global standards, attracting foreign investment, and facilitating cross-border transactions”, she added.
The Secretary of UNCITRAL, H. E. Anna Joubin- Bret, in her address, stated that the aim of celebrating the UNCITRAL days in Africa is to promote awareness, study, and discuss UNCITRAL texts and topics within the community of young legal scholars and students, that represent the next generation of legal thinkers and policymakers who would hopefully be involved in the work of UNCITRAL in the future.
The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ghana to Austria and the United Nations Offices in Vienna, H. E. Philbert Johnson, called on African countries to create more awareness and the needed capacity in international commercial and trade law within the remit of UNCITRAL, to ensure competitiveness in the global economic system. He indicated that for Ghana and other African countries to take full advantage of UNCITRAL, there must be an understanding of the Commission’s rules and regulations which will enable African countries to formulate effective policies and strategies that will serve their interest.
The Director of Legal and Treaties Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Amb. Mrs. Jane Gasu Aheto noted that UNCITRAL is one body that has over the years helped shape international norms on international trade and commerce and Ghana has been pivotal to the work of UNCITRAL since it was formed. She indicated that the event serves as a good building block on which interest in the work of the Commission could be whipped and also create awareness of the tremendous work that is being undertaken by the Commission.
