The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has welcomed the one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the United States Government, describing it as a critical 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 safeguard thousands of Ghanaian jobs, particularly within the garments, agro processing, cocoa derivatives, and light manufacturing sectors, while reinforcing Ghana’s position as a reliable trading partner in the U.S market.
The extension, the Minister stated, follows sustained diplomatic and direct engagements by President John Dramani Mahama after the U.S. imposed a 10% universal tariff on imports, a move that threatened Ghanaian exports and businesses.
As part of these efforts, she said her Ministry held a series of meetings, including stakeholder engagements, to reassure exporters of the government’s commitment to preventing trade disruptions and safeguarding investment decisions in the country.
The United States first announced the 10% universal tariff on April 2, 2025, which took effect on April 5, 2025, covering imports from all countries, including Ghana. This was followed by the imposition of an additional 15% tariff on Ghanaian exports on August 7, 2025, under a broader U.S. trade policy aimed at addressing trade deficits and promoting reciprocal trade practices.
AGOA, enacted in 2000, remains a cornerstone of U.S.–Africa trade relations, offering duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market for 32 eligible African countries as of the end of 2024. Under the arrangement, most Ghanaian exports to the United States continue to enjoy preferential market access.
Commending exporters for their resilience amid the challenging trade environment, the Minister encouraged them to take advantage of the Accelerated Export Development Programme to further expand Ghana’s exports to the U.S. market.
