The Government of Ghana has welcomed the one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the United States, describing it as a vital safeguard for jobs and industries reliant on duty-free access to the U.S. market.
In a press release issued on 4th February 2026, the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the extension — signed by the U.S. administration on 3rd February — will protect thousands of Ghanaian jobs in garments, agro-processing, cocoa derivatives, and light manufacturing. She noted that the move reinforces Ghana’s position as a reliable trading partner in the U.S. market.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of recent tariff hikes by the U.S., including a 10% universal tariff imposed in April 2025 and a subsequent 15% tariff on Ghanaian exports in August 2025. These measures, aimed at addressing trade deficits and promoting reciprocal trade practices, have raised concerns among exporters.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare assured stakeholders of government’s commitment to avoiding trade disruptions, citing ongoing engagements with exporters and international partners. She commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and West African countries for their collective effort in securing the AGOA extension.
She further encouraged exporters to leverage the Accelerated Export Development Programme to boost Ghana’s competitiveness in the U.S. market, despite the tariff challenges.
AGOA, enacted in 2000, has been a cornerstone of U.S.-Africa trade, granting duty-free access to 32 eligible African countries. Ghana has been a key beneficiary, with most of its exports enjoying quota-free access under the agreement.
Leave a Reply