Ghana’s Trade Minister Holds Key Talks with US Representative on Tariffs and AGOA Renewal

Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, has held a pivotal bilateral meeting with Ms. Constance Hamilton, the Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa, to address critical trade concerns between Ghana and the United States. The discussions took place on June 25, 2025, at the US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola.

During the meeting, Minister Ofosu-Adjare expressed serious concerns about the recently imposed 10% universal tariff on Ghanaian exports such as cocoa products, apparel, and other agricultural goods. She cautioned that these tariffs threaten Ghana’s export competitiveness and could undermine growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She appealed for targeted exemptions for developing economies like Ghana and called for deeper dialogue to minimize negative impacts.

The talks also focused on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is due to expire on September 30, 2025. The Minister emphasized AGOA’s critical role in Ghana’s industrial development—especially in the apparel sector, citing companies like DTRT in Accra, which have created jobs for youth and women while boosting local production capacity.

Calling for a long-term extension of AGOA, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare stressed that predictability is vital for investors and exporters in Ghana. She reiterated Ghana’s dedication to strengthening its trade relationship with the US and expressed willingness to address any concerns from the US side in pursuit of a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership.

In response, Ms. Hamilton welcomed the discussions and emphasized the US Government’s focus on increasing private sector investment in Africa, particularly in areas such as energy, mining, and digital infrastructure. She noted that the current AGOA renewal talks aim to foster a more reciprocal trade environment.

Both officials agreed on the importance of continued collaboration to enhance trade and investment ties between Ghana and the United States, marking the meeting as a significant step forward in deepening bilateral economic relations.