The 8th Steering Committee of the Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC) has appointed Dr. Nii Obodai Provencal to chair the GITFiC-AfCFTA programs at the tertiary level. His tenure as chairman of the tertiary students' club extends from February 1, 2024, to February 1, 2025, with the possibility of extension based on mandate evaluation and performance.
The GITFiC-AfCFTA Tertiary Students Club, officially launched at the University of Ghana in March 2023, aims to expand its presence to other prestigious schools in Ghana, including the University of Development Studies (UDS), All Nations University (ANU), and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Permission to replicate the clubs on these campuses has been granted after meeting all requirements.
Under the supervision of patrons (senior lecturers), the clubs are governed by elected student officials, including the president, vice president, organizer, secretary, and treasurer, in accordance with university mandates.
The purpose of these clubs is to engage Africa's academia in AfCFTA framework discussions, expose students and graduates to AfCFTA opportunities, and cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs to drive Africa's industrial revolution. Dr. Nii Obodai Provencal, with extensive experience as a Trade and Energy Economist, brings valuable expertise to this initiative.
The GITFiC-AfCFTA Tertiary Students Club aims to contribute to the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, including initiatives like the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), by empowering future leaders and entrepreneurs in Africa.