Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has confirmed that the United States has lifted the 15% tariffs previously placed on cocoa and several other key agricultural exports from Ghana. The reversal, he said, took effect on November 13, 2025, following a new executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ablakwa, sharing the update via a public post, said American officials formally notified Ghana that the tariff removal had come into force. He explained that the exemption applies to a wide range of Ghanaian produce including cocoa beans, cashew nuts, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, coconuts, plantain, bananas, citrus fruits, ginger, guava, and assorted peppers.
The announcement is seen as a significant win for Ghana’s agricultural sector—especially cocoa, one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners. Ghana exports roughly 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the U.S. each year. Based on prevailing market prices of around $5,300 per metric ton, the tariff reduction could provide Ghana with an estimated $60 million (about GHS 667 million) in additional annual revenue.
Ablakwa said the development reflects growing cooperation between Accra and Washington, adding that both countries remain committed to strengthening economic and diplomatic ties.
Background to the Tariff Dispute
The 15% tariffs were introduced on July 31, 2025, under a U.S. executive order imposing reciprocal trade measures on several nations, including Ghana. The move sparked immediate concern within Ghana’s export industry, with stakeholders warning that higher U.S. duties could severely impact one of the country’s most valuable sectors.
At the time, Ghanaian officials challenged the justification for the tariffs, arguing that cocoa is not produced in the United States and therefore cannot be subjected to reciprocity on equal terms. Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi publicly stated that Ghana was prepared to negotiate at senior diplomatic and trade levels to resolve the matter.
Trade experts said the tariff episode highlighted the vulnerability of African economies to sudden policy shifts from major trading partners. They also noted that the situation underscored the importance of Africa accelerating intra-continental trade efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to reduce dependence on external markets.
With the tariffs now withdrawn, Ghana’s government has expressed optimism that the decision will stabilise export flows and support farmers, agribusinesses, and processing companies reliant on U.S. market access.
Source:Africa Publicity
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