23 Years Ago
Agnes Gifty Adjei-Sam
Former Director, Marketing and Promotion at Ghana Export Promotion Authority
Exactly 23 Years Ago Today,
2nd July 2000, I left a then relatively comfortable job with attendant predictability to a then not-so -familiar one- the world of international trade, with focus on export facilitation.
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With Determined Effort,
I embraced the many aspects of international trade promotion. I quickly found out that continuous learning and knowledge sharing was key to making meaningful impact in the trade world. So I learned quickly, different aspects of international trade; many WTO Courses, ITC SME Academy courses, Inclusive Trade (Women, Youth etc), Enterprise Development & Management and even got an MA in Organization Development to facilitate the application of all the knowledge and experiences.
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Making Knowledge Meaningful
I?applied appropriately and shared knowledge with much dexterity and satisfaction as these provided invaluable inputs for many of our SMEs and other clientele looking for certain specific and sometimes general trade information to make strategic decisions.
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Supportive Trade Policies
I very strongly believe the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) would certainly provide the needed impetus to engender intra Africa trade. Indeed, the AfCFTA is Africa’s best gift to Africa and we must all accept it, believe in it and work together to make it work!
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And so Looking Back,
I am happy to say that I took a good step to leave my comfort zone to go into new unfamiliar zone; trade promotion. I have added to my teaching experience, invaluable knowledge of the multilateral trading system and values, acquired?in-depth understanding of private and public sector operations which has given me great interest in building and strengthening strategic organizational and corporate partnerships. Importantly, I am optimistic my diverse contributions have in some way, engendered the growth of the sector.
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Significance of This Day
This day is significant for me for many reasons. It also precedes the soon coming of my statutory retirement from work. So much knowledge, so much experience, so much networks, so much goodwill… have I acquired and built. I give great gratitude to all who have helped me and great glory to God for all this. I don’t know how it would have been if He were not on my side.
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领英推è
Through it All
This brief cannot be finished without acknowledging the immense support and encouragement I received from Kumi Adjei-Sam, my late husband. In fact I was initially reluctant to leave Tema in those days with a new baby and two older toddlers to commute to Accra every day, some weekends, some holidays, sometimes late work hours. He assured and indeed, provided any and everything to make the transition easy for me. He would have been happy to share the time with me but alas, he has been called to higher service in heaven, almost 4 years ago.?
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23 Years
23 is associated with perfection and completion. The number 23 is also significant in relation to redemption, as it is believed to represent the completion of a cycle or a full circle and the idea of a new beginning or a turning point in history.?As I mark my historic 23 years in trade promotion and prepare for statutory retirement and a new beginning,?I cannot help but declare as in Psalm 23 that surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
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Next Chapters
Still in international trade promotion with renewed focus on assured progression.
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So that is my story and this is my song
In Martin Rinkart song translated from German into English by Catherine Winkworth:
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Oh may this Bounteous God,
Through all our life be near us
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us
And keep us in His Grace,
And guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills in this world and the next.
Head, Bulk Payments & Customer Support
1 å¹´Wow! How I missed this insightful, thought-provoking and deep write-up beats me. As always, Aggie you hit the nail right on the head. Your deep understanding and refreshing perspectives to discussions when we were studying Organizational Development cannot be forgotten. I am so proud of you and your achievements. May the God you so faithfully trust and depend upon continue to order your steps. I promise to call you soon. Blessings!
Executive Coordinator, Ports Environmental Network-Africa (PENAf)
1 å¹´Yes, it is always gratifying to look back and reckon that comfort zone can be an enemy for self-progress. Comfort zone offers no risk and no fear but without risk and fear one might not know themselves well - their capabilities and strength - to become all that they were meant to be. Aggie, one phase of your life has come to end only to usher you into the next where all the knowledge, skills, and competence you have acquired and backed by your faith, offers the potential of bringing them to bear in your own small way as a non-state actor to contribute to making Africa's Free Trade transition a success. You have garnered what it takes and Africa awaits you to utilise it for its positive impact. Congratulations!
Interim Stroke Program Coordinator - Penn Medicine Princeton Health
1 å¹´Congratulations!!! Your next 23 years is going to be even more brilliant?
Communications | Tech Policy | Political Risk
1 年Congratulations! You're a gem for Ghana, GEPA and the many mentees. I learned so much from you starting my career – especially with work ethics.
Chief Executive Officer of AA Foods & Beverages|Spirits Connoisseur|Business Strategist|Delivering Innovation & Operational Excellence for Distilleries in Ghana|Feminine Leadership Enthusiast
1 å¹´Oh wow that's amazing and congratulations on this milestone . Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. I have definitely been empowered by you. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter of your life. God bless you!