A 10% tariff on all imports into the United States, imposed by President Donald Trump on April 5, has caused a ripple effect across global markets — with Ghana already feeling the repercussions.
Although Ghana’s direct exports to the U.S. account for only 3.5% of its total trade, the impact has been particularly severe on key sectors such as cocoa, textiles, cashews, shea butter, and processed foods.
These industries, which were previously shielded by the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), now find themselves vulnerable, as the new tariffs essentially negate the benefits of AGOA. As a result, Ghanaian exporters are losing duty-free access to the U.S. market, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Dr. Sangu Delle, a Ghanaian entrepreneur and policy advocate, describes the situation as more than just a policy change — it’s a wake-up call. “We didn’t choose this fight, but we cannot afford to lose it,” he says.
Under AGOA, Ghana’s value-added exports thrived, providing local employment and boosting the country’s industrial capacity. However, with the new tariffs in place and AGOA set to expire by September 2025, uncertainty now clouds the future. Factories are facing cancelled orders, while farmer cooperatives and small exporters are concerned about being priced out of global markets.
Although Ghana’s top export to the U.S., crude oil, was initially spared from direct tariffs, it has still suffered from the broader global market panic. Falling oil prices threaten to undermine public revenues and destabilize foreign exchange.
“This is the end of illusions,” Delle argues. “We must move from dependency to self-determined economic strategy.”
In response to this crisis, Delle proposes a five-pronged strategy to secure Ghana’s economic future:
“First, strengthen African trade by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to replace lost U.S. demand. Next, boost industrialization by transitioning from raw exports to finished products such as chocolate, refined oil, and branded garments. Third, focus on macroeconomic stability, particularly protecting the cedi and reinforcing financial buffers. Fourth, engage diplomatically by seeking tariff exemptions and negotiating a renewed trade deal with the U.S. Finally, support vulnerable sectors with tax relief, export incentives, and retraining programs for affected workers and businesses.”
Delle emphasizes that this moment could be transformative for Ghana if the country responds with urgency, ambition, and unity. “Let us use this setback as a springboard for long-term economic renewal,” he says.
The current situation calls for Ghana to act — not out of fear, but with the resolve to shape its own trade destiny.
