Trade related advocacy groups in Africa under the African Trade Network, have expressed worry over the imbalance in Trade between the north and the south. They have therefore called for African Caribbean and Pacific countries to rethink their signing onto the economic partnership agreement of the trade industry. At the opening of its 11th meeting in Accra , the network noted that the current financial, fuel and food crisis have been caused by the speculative actions of multi-nationals and supposed donor partners whose main aim is to recolonialise Africa .
The Coordinator of the Political Economy Unit of the Third World Network, Gyekye Tanoh said for the trade market in Africa to develop, there is the need to promote the quality of life in the area of food, water and electricity expenditure. Mr. Tanoh reiterated that government should boost the production of food crops rather than cash crops to help alleviate food shortages and poverty which has crippled the socio-economic development in Africa .
A Research Fellow of the University of Ghana Dzodzi Tsikata said the proportion of cultivable lands allocated to the production of the various selected cash crops like cocoa is gradually being taken over by the international trade partners. This she attributed to the fact that most of these African farmers are often enticed with money to sell off their lands to international trade partners.
Miss Tsikata entreated all representatives from African countries to put into practice experiences gathered at the conference to enhance the African Trade Industry. More than 50 delegates from across Africa are participating in the three day meeting.
