Ghana to champion ECOWAS adoption of Accra Convention on cargo documents – Trade Minister

Ghana is poised to take the lead among ECOWAS nations in the adoption and implementation of the Accra Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, a new international framework designed to streamline trade finance and the movement of goods across borders. This initiative, championed by Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, aims to simplify international trade by establishing a uniform legal foundation for the use of cargo documents in transporting goods via road, rail, and air.

During the opening of a virtual sensitization program for ECOWAS Member States on October 7, 2026, Ms. Ofosu-Adjare emphasized Ghana's commitment to signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, which is set to provide a common legal framework for these critical aspects of global trade. The program aimed to enable participating countries to evaluate the convention's implications and gauge its compatibility with their national legal systems.

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 15, 2025, the Accra Convention, officially known as the Accra Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, is scheduled for signature in Accra on October 26, 2026, allowing Ghana to host the subsequent stages of the adoption process. Ms. Ofosu-Adjare called on ECOWAS nations to leverage the sensitization program to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Convention and provide clear recommendations to their respective governments regarding the subsequent steps.