The government of Ghana has announced the receipt of official confirmation from the United States regarding the complete removal of the 15% tariff previously imposed on Ghana’s cocoa and selected agricultural exports.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed this development in a Facebook post on November 24, 2025, noting that U.S. diplomats had formally communicated the decision to Ghana’s Mission in Washington, D.C.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, this reversal took effect on November 13, 2025, following the signing of a new Executive Order by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The removal of the tariff reverses a policy that was introduced during the Trump administration, which had imposed significant cost burdens on Ghana’s cocoa exports to the American market.
This rescission applies not only to cocoa but also to a broad array of Ghanaian agricultural products, including cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, oranges, limes, plantains, pineapples, guavas, coconuts, ginger, and various peppers.
Government officials estimate that with Ghana exporting an average of 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the U.S. each year—at a spot price of approximately $5,300 per metric ton—the elimination of the tariff could generate an additional $60 million (around GHC 667 million) in revenue annually.
The government has welcomed this announcement, characterizing it as a significant boost to one of Ghana’s most vital export sectors.
The U.S. remains the world’s largest importer of chocolate and cocoa products, making tariff-free access especially crucial for Ghana’s export earnings and market competitiveness.
Mr. Ablakwa further stated that Ghana and the United States are dedicated to enhancing cooperation and promoting mutually beneficial economic relations in the future.
