The United States has officially removed the 15% tariffs placed on cocoa and a range of Ghanaian agricultural exports, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced.
Mr Ablakwa confirmed that the reversal took effect on November 13, 2025, after a new Executive Order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to the Minister, U.S. diplomats formally communicated the update to Ghana, marking a decisive end to what had been a growing concern for exporters and policymakers.
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The reversal covers not just cocoa beans but a wider basket of Ghana’s top agricultural exports, including: Cashew nuts, Avocado, Banana, Mango, Orange, Lime, Plantain, Pineapple, Guava, Coconut, Ginger, and various peppers.
Mr Ablakwa described the development as a major relief for exporters and a boost for Ghana’s non-traditional export sector.
With Ghana exporting about 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans annually to the U.S. market, and global prices hovering around US$5,300 per metric ton, the government estimates that the tariff removal could generate an additional US$60 million (GHS 667 million) each year.
“This decision will significantly enhance our export revenue. Ghana and the USA will continue to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations,” Ablakwa added
The cocoa sector, a backbone of Ghana’s economy and a major source of foreign exchange, is expected to experience immediate relief.
The tariff was introduced via a July 31, 2025 Executive Order by President Trump, which imposed reciprocal 15% tariffs on several countries, Ghana included.
The sudden move alarmed players in Ghana’s export industry, particularly because the U.S. does not produce cocoa, making the tariff widely viewed in Ghana as unjustified.
Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi was vocal earlier in the year, saying, “Ghana was prepared to engage at the highest levels to challenge what we deemed unfair. A tariff on cocoa, which the U.S. does not grow, lacked justification.”
Trade experts say the episode offers a broader lesson for African economies. Many analysts argued that the tariff shock highlighted the urgency of strengthening intra-African trade, particularly under initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to them, deeper integration would reduce Africa’s vulnerability to external trade policies and unilateral tariff decisions by major economies.