The United States government officially rescinds the 15% tariffs previously imposed on Ghana’s cocoa and selected agricultural exports.
The announcement was first made public by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, through a post on his official Facebook page. According to him, “US diplomats confirm to me that the 15% tariff reversal came into effect on November 13, 2025, following President Trump’s new Executive Order.”
The policy change now includes not only cocoa beans but also a wide range of Ghanaian agricultural products affected by the tariff regime. Items such as cashew nuts, avocado, banana, mango, orange, lime, plantain, pineapple, guava, coconut, ginger, and assorted peppers are now exempt from U.S. import duties. This broad exemption is expected to boost Ghana’s competitiveness in the American market.
Economically, the tariff rollback presents a significant boost for the nation. Ghana exports an annual average of 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the United States. With the current spot price at about $5,300 per metric ton, the country is projected to earn an additional US$60 million, equivalent to approximately GHS667 million, each year as a result of the tariff removal. This windfall is anticipated to support the local cocoa sector at a critical time when global prices and supply chains continue to fluctuate.
Ghana has welcomed the development wholeheartedly, describing it as timely and mutually beneficial. The United States remains the world’s largest importer of chocolate and cocoa-derived products, making the strengthened trade environment especially valuable for Ghana’s economy.
As Hon. Ablakwa noted, this positive shift further demonstrates the deepening partnership between Accra and Washington. Both nations, he said, “will continue to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations,” signalling ongoing collaboration in trade, diplomacy, and development.
