Concord Times (Freetown)
Mariama Kandeh
3 December 2007
Freetown — Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Dr Richard Conteh, Wednesday said Sierra Leone has no independent position on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union (EU) and African and Caribbean countries.
Conteh was speaking at a discussion forum on EPA organized by Global Call for Action against Poverty (GCAP), Christian Aid and Third World Network in Ghana that was held at Cabenda Hotel.
"The position of the country is with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and we stand firmly behind the position of ECOWAS," he said as he explained that since east and southern African countries have signed the agreement, it is hard for West African countries not to follow suite.
Representative of Chamber of Commerce, Claudette Thomas said EPA might lead to the closing of manufacturing companies, inflation, joblessness and poverty.
"We are encouraging the government not to sign the agreement but to look at the intricacies involved in it and make economic impact assessment," she said adding that EPA will also lead to an increase in donor reliance.
Director of Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), Abu Brima observed that the fact that some EU organizations such as Oxfam GB and Christian Aid, which are funded with EU's taxpayers' money, are critiquing the EPA. This, he said, shows how much negative impacts it has on developing countries. "How much of Africa's product will be sold in the EU market?" he asked and added "West Africa is going to be used as a dumping ground for EU's excess product. The EPA process is flawed due to lack of concerted initiatives. EPA needs to be blended with the democratic process," Brima said and asked, "How much control will the African people have on the trade relationship between their continent and EU nations?" Chairperson of the Program and lecturer at the Economics department of Fourah Bay College, Dr. Dennis Sandy said the EPA would not benefit Africa in any way even though West African countries are still united and firm against the signing of EPA. He said ECOWAS would have a tougher time with the EU if they refuse to sign it.
"We will continue to fight against our countries signing the EPA as long as we don't want to see the continued sinking of our economy," he said. Sandy added that the Europeans always want to see Africans admire them.
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