The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has welcomed the one-year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the United States, describing it as a significant boost for Ghana’s export sector.

According to the Minister, the extension, signed by the Trump administration on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, will protect thousands of Ghanaian jobs in key sectors such as garments, agro-processing, cocoa derivatives, and light manufacturing, while reinforcing Ghana’s reputation as a dependable trading partner for the U.S. market.

She explained that the extension comes after sustained diplomatic efforts led by President John Dramani Mahama, following the U.S.’s imposition of a 10% universal tariff on imports—a move that posed a threat to Ghanaian exports and businesses.

The Minister noted that her Ministry engaged exporters and stakeholders through meetings and consultations to reassure them of the government’s commitment to preventing trade disruptions and safeguarding investment decisions.

The U.S. first introduced the 10% universal tariff on April 2, 2025, which came into effect on April 5, 2025, applying to imports from all countries, including Ghana. This was followed by an additional 15% tariff on Ghanaian exports on August 7, 2025, as part of a broader U.S. trade policy aimed at addressing trade imbalances and promoting reciprocal trade practices.

AGOA, enacted in 2000, remains a cornerstone of U.S.–Africa trade relations, offering duty-free and quota-free access to the U.S. market for 32 eligible African countries as of the end of 2024. Under the scheme, most Ghanaian exports continue to benefit from preferential market access.

Commending exporters for their resilience amid challenging trade conditions, Minister Ofosu-Adjare urged them to leverage the Accelerated Export Development Programme to further expand Ghana’s exports to the United States.