Report By: Ishmael Barfi
In response to the recent 10% tariff imposed on Ghanaian exports by the U.S. government, the Ghanaian government has initiated stakeholder engagement to address the issue.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Elisabeth Ofosu-Adjare, announced this initiative following the tariff implementation under the Trump Administration.
The stakeholder engagement took place on Thursday, April 11, 2025, at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra, bringing together key players from the export industry and various state institutions and agencies.
Some stakeholders at the Stakeholders Engagement
In her opening remarks, the Minister revealed that on Monday, April 7, her Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, held a high-level diplomatic discussion with the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana.
This engagement led to an official press release issued later that day, assuring the business community of the government’s commitment to tackling the issue.
She emphasized that “Ghana and the United States share a long-standing relationship founded on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared values.”
The Minister highlighted that since Ghana’s independence, the U.S. has been a strategic partner in the country’s development, providing support across key sectors such as trade, investment, technology, security, education, and healthcare.
According to her, the economic partnership between Ghana and the U.S. has been robust and diverse, with trade as a crucial pillar of this relationship.
“Ghana is one of the leading recipients of U.S. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the sub-region, significantly contributing to economic growth and job creation in the country,” she noted.
“From 1994 to 2024, Ghana has attracted over $5 billion in wholly-owned FDI inflows from the U.S., which covers 358 projects across various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, services, and tourism,” she stated.
10% US Tariffs: Trade Minister Engages with Stakeholders to Foster Collaborative Solutions
The new tariff, effective April 2, categorizes Ghana among countries facing a 10% baseline tariff on exports to the U.S.
This rate is comparatively lower than those imposed on other African nations such as Côte d’Ivoire (21%), Nigeria (14%), Lesotho (50%), Madagascar (47%), Botswana (38%), Mauritius (40%), and South Africa (31%).
The Minister assured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to implementing strategic initiatives such as the Accelerated Export Development Programme, the Rapid Industrialization for Jobs Initiative, and the 24-Hour Economy Policy as envisioned by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.
These initiatives aim to enhance economic resilience, boost production, and improve market access for Ghanaian goods.
To address high tariffs effectively for the benefit of Ghana and the African continent, the Minister mentioned that the AfCFTA Secretariat will convene a meeting of African Trade Ministers to discuss the tariff issue.
“To fully leverage these opportunities, the government will decisively strengthen trade diplomacy to preserve preferential access where possible while enhancing investment promotion strategies,” the Minister for Trade and Industry assured.
She noted that this would include improving trade-related infrastructure, streamlining regulatory procedures, and offering targeted incentives for export-oriented investments.
“My Ministry, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, will work diligently to ensure proactive policy engagement that leads to practical solutions for this pressing concern,” Hon. Elisabeth Ofosu-Adjare reaffirmed.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
