The United States has officially removed the 15 per cent tariff imposed on Ghana’s cocoa and agricultural exports, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed on Monday.
The announcement marks a major shift in Ghana–US trade relations and comes after months of diplomatic engagement between both governments.
Ablakwa said Washington communicated the decision through official channels, noting that the tariff removal took effect on November 13 under a new executive order signed by US President Donald Trump.
“The United States administration has officially informed the Government of Ghana that President Trump’s 15% imposition of tariffs on cocoa and certain qualifying agricultural products from Ghana has been rescinded,” the minister said in a post on X.
The tariffs, introduced during Trump’s previous policy adjustments, had significantly increased the cost of Ghanaian produce entering the US market. Ghana exports about 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the United States each year.
With current cocoa prices around $5,300 per metric ton, the government estimates the tariff repeal could deliver an additional $60 million in annual revenue.
The exemption also covers several other agricultural products, including cashew nuts, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, avocados, ginger, peppers, plantain and pineapples.
The diplomatic development coincides with Ghana’s recent acceptance of dozens of deportees from the United States all West Africans a move that generated domestic criticism but signalled improved cooperation between the two nations. It also follows Washington’s decision to reverse earlier visa restrictions on Ghanaian travellers after prolonged negotiations.
“Ghana welcomes this positive development from the US, which is the world’s leading importer of chocolate and cocoa products,” Ablakwa said.
“Ghana and the USA will continue to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations.”
Trade analysts say the decision ends a period of tension that had tested the strength of bilateral ties.
Daniel Amateye Anim-Prempeh of the Policy Initiative for Economic Development described the tariff reversal as a “win-win” for both sides.
“The cocoa sector, the backbone of Ghana’s agricultural economy, stands to gain the most from improved access to the US market,” he said.
Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer, relies heavily on commodity exports to stabilise its currency and finance public spending.
The tariff removal is therefore expected to strengthen the country’s external revenue position while lowering costs for US importers and manufacturers.
The announcement also comes months after Nigeria and several other African countries were hit with a 15 per cent import tariff under a separate Trump executive order, part of a broader effort to implement “reciprocal” trade measures.
While those tariffs were later postponed for additional negotiations, Ghana’s case appears to have been resolved earlier following sustained diplomatic engagement.