Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, for what reason she has taken the decision not to use the Economic Community of West African States Economic Partnership Agreement as the starting point for negotiations on a rollover trade deal with Ghana; and if she will make a statement.

HM Government has now signed, or agreed in principle, trade agreements with 55 countries – accounting for £170 billion of the United Kingdom’s bilateral trade in 2019. We are working to make further progress before the end of the Transition Period, and beyond.

The United Kingdom proposed a deal three years ago to provide Ghana with continuing access to our market, on the same basis as they currently enjoy. This deal remains on the table. The Hon. Gentleman will know that the ECOWAS Partnership Agreement he refers to does not provide the basis for our trade flows today. We continue to engage with the Government of Ghana to this effect. If a deal cannot be reached, Ghana will be eligible for the General Framework of the United Kingdom’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences from 1st January 2021.