By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
The Government of Ghana has received official communication from the United States Administration confirming the complete withdrawal of the 15% tariff previously imposed by President Donald Trump on Ghana’s cocoa and selected agricultural exports.
According to U.S. diplomats, the tariff reversal took effect on November 13, 2025, following the signing of a new Executive Order by President Trump. The decision restores duty-free access for Ghana’s cocoa and a range of other key agricultural commodities exported to the American market.
Products now exempted from the tariff include cocoa beans, cashew nuts, avocado, banana, mango, orange, lime, plantain, pineapple, guava, coconut, ginger, and assorted peppers.
Ghana exports an estimated 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the United States annually. With the current spot price of cocoa at US$5,300 per metric ton, the removal of the 15% tariff is projected to generate an additional US$60 million (approximately GHS667 million) in annual revenue for the country.
This development is expected to strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector, enhance competitiveness in the U.S. market, and support government efforts to increase export earnings.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed the development, describing it as a “positive and mutually beneficial milestone in Ghana–US economic relations.” He added that the tariff rescission reflects the strong partnership between the two nations and aligns with broader efforts to promote fair trade and economic cooperation.
“The United States remains the world’s leading importer of chocolate and cocoa products, and Ghana stands to benefit significantly from this restored market advantage,” the minister emphasized.
Ghana and the United States continue to deepen their diplomatic and economic ties, with both governments expressing commitment to fostering closer cooperation across trade, investment, and development sectors.
The tariff withdrawal marks a major step forward in ensuring smoother market access for Ghanaian agricultural producers and reaffirms the long-standing friendship between the two countries.
Ghana says it fully welcomes this strategic policy shift and looks forward to expanding its agricultural footprint in the U.S. market under the revived tariff-free regime.
