U.S. lifts 15% tariffs on Ghana’s cocoa and other key exports — Ablakwa
The United States has officially lifted the 15% tariffs previously imposed on cocoa and several other agricultural products from Ghana, according to Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
He confirmed that the change took effect on November 13, 2025, following a new executive order issued by President Trump.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Ablakwa said U.S. diplomats had formally communicated the decision, noting that “the 15% tariff reversal came into effect on November 13, 2025, following President Trump’s new Executive Order”.
He explained that the tariff removal applies not only to cocoa beans but also to a wide range of Ghanaian agricultural exports, including cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, oranges, limes, plantains, pineapples, guavas, coconuts, ginger, and several types of peppers.
The policy shift is expected to significantly benefit Ghana’s cocoa sector.
Ghana exports around 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the U.S. each year, and with spot prices currently near $5,300 per metric ton, the Minister estimated that the tariff removal could bring in roughly US$60 million (GHS 667 million) in additional annual revenue.
The Ghanaian government has welcomed the development. Mr. Ablakwa emphasised that “Ghana and the USA will continue to forge closer and mutually beneficial relations.”
The 15% tariff had originally been introduced under a July 31, 2025, executive order by President Trump, which imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including Ghana.
The move caused concern within Ghana’s agricultural export industry, particularly the cocoa sector, a vital source of foreign exchange.
In response, the Ghanaian government strongly opposed the measure.
Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi argued that the tariffs were unjustified, pointing out that the United States does not produce cocoa and therefore faces no domestic competition.
Analysts noted that the situation served as a broader reminder for African nations to strengthen regional trade integration through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).