By Peter.
The United States has lifted a 15% tariff on Ghana’s cocoa and several key agricultural products, effective November 13, 2025, following a new executive order by President Donald Trump. Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision on November 24, 2025, via social media, calling it a “positive development” that strengthens bilateral trade ties.
Economic Impact
- Annual Boost: Ghana exports ~78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the US yearly. At $5,300 per ton, the removal could generate an extra $60 million (GH₵667 million) in revenue annually.
- Affected Products: Beyond cocoa (beans and semi-processed), exemptions include cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, oranges, limes, plantains, pineapples, guavas, coconuts, ginger, and assorted peppers.
Background and Diplomatic Context
The tariffs, imposed under a Trump-era reciprocal trade policy, had raised costs for Ghanaian exporters since August 2025, straining relations amid U.S. deportations of Ghanaians and visa restrictions (recently lifted). Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, welcomed the reversal as a “diplomatic win” after advocacy under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Ablakwa noted: “Ghana and the USA will continue to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations.” Analysts project eased market access for farmers facing a 2025 glut.
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