AFRICA CONTINENTAL
FREE TRADE AREA
(AfCFTA).
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Chamber of Producers and Suppliers (AfCOPS),hereafter referred to simply as AfCOPS is a company formed under the laws of Ghana in January 2020. It is a company formed under the auspices of the Regional body of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA). The creation of a continental platform for producers and suppliers became necessary after the African peoples, through their governments and e lected representative espoused and demonstrated their willingness and desire to transcend their colonial artificial borders in pursuance of a more closer, practical and meaningful economic means of integration as a precursor and strong indicator of the eventual political unification of Africa..
AfCOPS aims at achieving, inter alia, the following goals;
- To represent and protect interest of producers and suppliers of goods and services within the Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
- To increase the capacity and skills of members in their chosen fields of economic endeavors.
- To advocate for a borderless Africa to promote free movement of persons, goods and services in light of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACfTA).
- Understanding different markets in Africa to facilitate better intra trade cooperation.
- Provide a platform for the resolution trade and trade related disputes.
- To be conducting research and market intelligence in order to give producers and suppliers of goods and services, true and accurate information on various markets in Africa. This will include, first hand information on prices (including farm gate and factory prices) of goods in different markets, cost of transportation and warehousing.
ORGANIZATION OF AfCOPS
As an umbrella organization producers and sellers, AfCOPS main responsibility would be towards its members. This responsibility would be actively felt by members in good standing. It is however envisaged that the benefits and fruits of AfCOPS activities would eventually have a trickle down or multiplier effect which positively impacts the larger community. AfCOPS recognizes as stakeholders, players in the commercial industry such as Farmers, artisanal producers, traders (bulk breakers), distributors, transporters, food canners & processors. Other stakeholders include law firms, oil service companies, pharmaceutical companies,beverage producers, cement manufacturers, telecommunication companies, gold refineries, apparel and garment producers.
HOW TO JOIN CHAMBER.
Any company, partnership, association or organization legally registered in Ghana or country of origin, wishing to become a member of the Chamber shall purchase a set of application forms from the offices of the Chamber in Accra, fill in the requisite information, and return same to the office for appraisal.
LEGAL PERSONALITY OF AfCOPS.
AfCOPS was registered by the Registrar of Companies in Ghana as a company Limited By Guarantee (LBG). The Registrar’s seal and signature which gave legal life to the company was given on the 27th day of January, 2021. By this incorporation, the company has been a legal personality separate and distinct from the directors and subscribers of the company. The company can also enter into contracts, sue and be sued in its own name and identity.
OFFICES OF CHAMBER
The Chamber shall have its principal offices and Headquarters in Accra Ghana. However, offices may be opened in other parts of the continent and in Ghana when necessary.
LEGAL PERSONALITY OF AfCOPS.
AfCOPS was registered by the Registrar of Companies in Ghana as a company Limited By Guarantee (LBG). The Registrar’s seal and signature which gave legal life to the company was given on the 27th day of January, 2021. By this incorporation, the company has been a legal personality separate and distinct from the directors and subscribers of the company. The company can also enter into contracts, sue and be sued in its own name and identity.
OFFICERS OF ORGANIZATION.
The principal officers of the organization shall be the persons whose names appear in the company’s documents of incorporation as the Directors and Secretary respectively.
EX OFFICIO EXECUTIVES.
AAfCOPS shall have non executive directors who in general meetings shall have no voting rights. Such non executive directors may be culled from seasoned diplomats, captains of industry consisting of owners and managing directors of manufacturing and service companies and ministers of trade from all countries which have ratified AfCFTA.
MEETINGS.
In addition to any other meetings that may be held in a year, the Chamber shall hold one meeting known as the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The procedures for the conduct of the AGM shall be as prescribed by the Companies Act 2019, Act 992. Where it becomes necessary for Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) to be held, they would be conducted in accordance with the stipulations of the Companies Act of Ghana 2019, Act 992.
MODE OF SELECTING EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Members of the chamber shall be responsible for nominating persons eligible to hold such positions. The Executive Directors of chamber shall then assess, consider and approve the said nomination. The privilege and opportunity to make nominations shall be granted, taking into consideration the geographical distribution and spread of the membership of the chamber.
TENURE OF OFFICE.
The members of shall be in office for two years subject to renewal for a second and final two year term.
RESIGNATION.
A person in a management position of whatever description may resign from his position before the expiration of his tenure of office. He shall communicate his intention / decision to resign in writing. The person shall give the Chamber a month’s notice of his intention to resign.
REMOVAL FROM OFFICE.
A person in a management position of whatever description may be removed from office before the expiration of his tenure of office on grounds of stated misbehavior. Such a person shall be informed in writing of the said misconduct. He shall be afforded every opportunity to be heard in his defence. He may also elect to be represented.
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