Ghana is set to benefit from a significant boost in export revenue following the United States government’s decision to rescind the 15 per cent tariff previously imposed on Ghanaian cocoa and selected agricultural products.
The development was disclosed by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who said U.S. officials have formally notified the Government of Ghana of the reversal. According to him, American diplomats confirmed that the tariff removal took effect on November 13, 2025, after President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order.
The 15 per cent tariff—criticised by Ghanaian stakeholders and global commodity analysts when first introduced—had raised concerns about export competitiveness in one of Ghana’s most vital sectors.
Mr Ablakwa highlighted the economic significance of the reversal, noting that Ghana exports an average of 78,000 metric tonnes of cocoa beans to the U.S. annually. “With the current spot price of $5,300 per metric tonne, Ghana stands to raise an additional US$60 million (GHS 667 million) each year resulting from Trump’s tariff rescission,” he said.
Beyond cocoa, the United States has also removed tariffs on a wide range of Ghanaian agricultural exports. These include cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, oranges, limes, plantain, pineapple, guava, coconut, ginger and assorted peppers—products that have steadily gained traction in U.S. speciality and mainstream markets.
Ghanaian authorities are expected to welcome the decision, particularly as the country intensifies efforts to diversify its agricultural exports and strengthen foreign exchange inflows. The U.S. remains the world’s largest importer of chocolate and cocoa-based products, making tariff-free access a strategic advantage for Ghana’s cocoa economy.
Mr Ablakwa described the decision as a positive milestone in bilateral cooperation, adding that “Ghana and the USA will continue to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations.”
