The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has welcomed the United States Government’s decision to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by one year, describing it as a major boost for Ghana’s export sector.
According to the Minister, the extension, signed by President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, will help protect thousands of Ghanaian jobs, particularly in the garments, agro-processing, cocoa derivatives and light manufacturing sectors. She added that the move further strengthens Ghana’s reputation as a dependable trading partner in the U.S. market.
She explained that the extension follows sustained diplomatic and direct engagements led by President John Dramani Mahama, after the United States imposed a 10 per cent universal tariff on imports—a policy shift that posed a significant threat to Ghanaian exports and businesses.
As part of these efforts, the Minister noted that her Ministry held several meetings, including stakeholder engagements, to reassure exporters of government’s commitment to preventing trade disruptions and safeguarding investment decisions.
The United States initially announced the 10 per cent universal tariff on April 2, 2025, with implementation beginning on April 5, 2025, affecting imports from all countries, including Ghana. This was later followed by an additional 15 per cent tariff on Ghanaian exports on August 7, 2025, under a broader U.S. trade policy aimed at addressing trade deficits and promoting reciprocal trade.
AGOA, which was enacted in 2000, remains a key pillar of U.S.–Africa trade relations, providing duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market for 32 eligible African countries as of the end of 2024. Under the scheme, the majority of Ghanaian exports to the United States continue to benefit from preferential market access.
Commending exporters for their resilience despite the challenging trade environment, the Minister urged them to leverage the Accelerated Export Development Programme to further expand Ghana’s exports to the U.S. market.
