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US Ambassador stunned by 10% tariff on cocoa – Deputy Trade Minister
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Sampson Ahi, has revealed that United States Ambassador to Ghana, was left surprised and concerned over the recent 10% tariff slapped on Ghana’s cocoa exports by President Trump.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, April 7, the Bodi MP disclosed that the tariff issue came up during a meeting with Ambassador Virginia Palmer earlier in the day.
The discussion was prompted by what the Ghanaian delegation views as an unfair imposition of trade restrictions on a commodity the US does not even produce.
“Again, we asked why,” Mr Ahi told Evans Mensah during the interview.
“Because if you want to impose taxes on commodities to remain competitive, you would do that based on the commodities that you have a competitive advantage over us. The US doesn’t produce cocoa, but they have slapped a 10% tariff on its exports.”
He continued, “We sought clarification, and the ambassador, too, was surprised. She felt that if we pursued it, a commodity like cocoa could be exempted from the 10% tariff.”
The introduction of the tariff by the Trump campaign, as part of a broader trade strategy targeting several foreign imports, has drawn sharp criticism from cocoa-producing nations, who argue that it directly affects their economic lifelines and undermines global efforts at equitable trade.
Ghana is one of the world’s top cocoa producers and relies heavily on the commodity for foreign exchange.
Any new barriers to the export of cocoa are likely to have significant implications for the country’s economy and the livelihoods of millions of cocoa farmers.
According to the Deputy Minister, Ambassador Palmer did not attempt to justify the tariff but instead recommended further engagement between Ghana and the US at a much higher diplomatic level.
“No, she suggested that we should have a higher platform for discussing this particular matter,” Mr Ahi noted.
“She thinks that we should engage at a higher level—that means bringing in the president at a top governmental level.”
“She didn’t understand why cocoa is included. They know that they don’t produce cocoa, and so that was stated clearly,” he added.
Ghana, along with other African cocoa-producing nations, is expected to collectively respond to the new tariff measures.
Sampson Ahi indicated that plans are underway for a continental dialogue under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
“Apart from that, we also know that as Africans, we have agreed to fight this collectively. And so on the 14th of this month, AfCFTA is organising a meeting with African trade ministers to look at this situation,” he stated.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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MOTCCA, GTA advance trade partnerships and promotes Black Star Experience During U.S. Trade Mission
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts and Ghana Tourism Authority has concluded a successful trade and investment mission to the United States, with official visits to Memphis, Tennessee, Detroit Michigan and Columbus, Ohio aimed at strengthening economic ties, forging strategic partnerships, showcasing tourism and the Black Star Experience.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Jajah, and included Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
At the core of the mission was the goal of establishing and expanding trade and investment relationships across key U.S. cities. The delegation met with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, business chambers, universities, and cultural organizations to position Ghana as a viable hub for international investment, tourism and trade across diverse sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, education, creative industries, and hospitality.
In Memphis, the delegation was hosted by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa).
The visit built on the momentum from the 2022 Memphis in May International Festival, when Ghana was the honored country and a sister-city agreement was signed.
Discussions focused on expanding this partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism promotion, and education. Notably, the University of Memphis, which enrolls over 200 Ghanaian students, was highlighted as a key partner in fostering academic and cultural exchange.
In Detroit, the delegation engaged with both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders around investment collaboration. City and business leaders expressed strong interest in working with Ghana on initiatives in real estate development, entertainment and culture.
Plans are underway to organize a Ghana Cultural Fair in Detroit to celebrate Ghana’s heritage while promoting economic opportunities. In Columbus, Ohio, where Ghana remains the only country with a sister-city relationship, the delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Columbus.
The meetings focused on trade, with stakeholders emphasizing a shared commitment to expanding business and exchanges between Ghana and Columbus-based institutions and investors.
Ghana recognizes the vital role that the global African diaspora plays in national development and continues to champion reconnection efforts. The delegation engaged the diaspora “Ghana is committed to creating meaningful pathways for the diaspora to return, not just for visits, but to invest, to collaborate, and to contribute.
Through the Black Star Experience, we invite our brothers and sisters across the globe to reconnect with their roots while becoming active participants in Ghana’s future.”
The Black Star Experience serves as a unifying platform, welcoming global Africans and partners alike to engage with Ghana through heritage tourism, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity for both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders looking to connect with Ghana,” said Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto.
Next steps in international outreach include upcoming missions to New Orleans, New York, Washington, D.C., and other key cities across the U.S., as part of ongoing efforts to promote tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and global collaboration under the Black Star Experience.
News
Ghana and Germany Force Strategic Health Alliance
The Ministry of Health has engaged with representatives from INZAG Germany and the German Embassy in a strategic meeting aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The delegation, led by the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Müller Manuel, and officials from INZAG, met with the Minister for Health,
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key areas of partnership, including infrastructure development and health professional migration pathways.
The meeting highlighted Germany’s growing interest in investing in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure as part of a broader commitment to strengthening health systems across the African continent.
The discussions also focused significantly on Germany’s interest in engaging qualified Ghanaian healthcare professionals through government-to-government cooperation. Both parties explored the possibility of establishing a formal framework that would allow trained Ghanaian medical personnel to access employment opportunities in Germany under ethical and mutually beneficial terms.
Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of ensuring that any such migration programme aligns with Ghana’s national workforce planning strategy and includes safeguards to prevent negative impacts on local healthcare delivery.
“This collaboration must be built on reciprocity, skills development, and long-term benefits for both nations,” he stated.
The Minister expressed optimism about future engagements and extended his appreciation to the German government and INZAG for their continued interest in supporting the development of Ghana’s health sector.
Mr. Diogo Serra, the Commercial Director for INZAG, a leading German firm specializing in healthcare construction and systems engineering, reiterated the firm’s readiness to partner with the Ministry of Health to develop sustainable and modern healthcare facilities across the country.
Further technical meetings have been scheduled to develop a comprehensive roadmap for implementation.
