Ghana Pushes for AGOA Renewal Amid Tariff Pressures
Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), during high-level trade talks with senior U.S. officials in Washington, D.C.
The minister led a Ghanaian delegation to the United States on Monday, June 9, 2025, to advocate for continued preferential access to the U.S. market under AGOA, which is due to expire in September this year. The visit comes against the backdrop of growing trade uncertainty, fuelled by the U.S.’s shifting “America First” policy agenda and the imposition of sweeping 10% tariffs on global imports — measures that have raised fresh concerns among African exporters, including Ghana.
The Ghanaian delegation included Ambassador Jane Gasu Ahemtor, Acting Head of Mission; Dr. Mary Awusi, CEO of the Ghana Free Zones Authority; and Abdul Razak, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). Key U.S. participants in the meeting included Thomas Bruns, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Middle East and Africa, and Giancarlo Cavallo, a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
“AGOA Is a Win-Win”
Minister Ofosu-Adjare made a strong case for the renewal of AGOA, describing the preferential trade framework as mutually beneficial. She underscored its catalytic role in boosting U.S. investments in Ghana’s export-driven sectors, particularly in garments and textiles.
“AGOA remains a win-win platform. It has deepened U.S.-Africa trade relations and enabled Ghanaian manufacturers to expand production and create jobs,” she noted during the discussions.
Addressing Trade Irritants
In a bid to reassure U.S. counterparts, the Minister acknowledged trade-related concerns including Ghana’s local content policy, restrictions on the importation of over-aged vehicles and excavators, and outstanding debts owed to some U.S. companies. She assured that these matters were being actively addressed by the government in line with international obligations.
Call to Resume TIFA Talks
Both sides agreed on the need to resume formal negotiations under the U.S.-Ghana Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), which has served as a platform for addressing trade disputes and strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
The Minister is expected to continue her engagements in the coming weeks with further consultations planned with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), as Ghana seeks to preserve its trade gains and hedge against future disruptions.
AGOA, first enacted in 2000, grants duty-free access to the U.S. market for over 6,000 products from eligible Sub-Saharan African countries. Its expiration without renewal could significantly impact Ghana’s non-traditional export sector and broader trade strategy.
