The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has urged the government to expedite negotiations with the United States on the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), warning that delays are deepening exporters’ struggles and draining much-needed foreign exchange from the economy.
Speaking at the 2025 Customer Service Week Celebration at Tema Port, the Executive Secretary of the IEAG, Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, said Ghanaian exporters are being hit hard by the 15 percent tariff imposed by the U.S. since AGOA’s expiration, a benefit that once granted duty-free access to thousands of African goods.
“Ghanaian exporters targeting the U.S. market are now paying 15 percent tariffs. I’ve heard the President say that government is working with the U.S. to resolve it, but the process is too slow. Many of our members are already paying the tariff, and it’s hurting business,” Mr. Awingobit lamented.
He cautioned that the delay in renewing AGOA could undermine Ghana’s export competitiveness, increase trade imbalances, and deprive the country of critical dollar inflows.
“We don’t want ships coming in full and leaving empty,” he said. “The government needs hard currency to stabilize the economy, and exports are our main source. The U.S. remains Ghana’s biggest market, we can’t afford to lose ground there.”
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Since the expiration of AGOA, Ghanaian exporters have faced higher operational costs and reduced margins, particularly for non-traditional exports such as apparel, processed foods, and agricultural produce.
The IEAG warns that without swift government action, many small exporters could lose access to one of Ghana’s most profitable external markets.
Mr. Awingobit said the government’s push to diversify exports toward China’s zero-tariff market is a welcome step but stressed that Ghana’s long-standing relationship with the U.S. under AGOA still represents a vital trade lifeline.
“Yes, China is an emerging market with potential, but our eyes are still on the U.S. market. The export earnings injected into the economy are what’s keeping us afloat,” he said.
In addition, Mr. Awingobit appealed to President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to prioritize AGOA renewal discussions at the highest diplomatic level, stressing that the economic cost of delay could ripple through the manufacturing, shipping, and logistics sectors.
“We need urgent action. Every month that passes without AGOA renewal means lost business opportunities, lost jobs, and lost foreign exchange,” he said.
He added that the IEAG would continue to engage with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, exporters, and development partners to press for faster progress.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act, first enacted in 2000, allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for thousands of products.
It has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s export growth, particularly in textiles, cocoa products, and manufactured goods.
However, since the lapse of the agreement, exporters have had to absorb additional costs that threaten to make Ghanaian goods less competitive against peers in countries that still enjoy preferential access.
