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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
News
Cake Tekniks holds 59th graduation ceremony
About 30 students on Sunday graduated from the 59th graduation ceremony of Cake Tekniks International, a privately-owned modern cake designing and sugar craft school in Accra.
During the ceremony, all graduates were presented with certificates while 13 of them also received professional diploma.
The founder of Cake Tekniks International, Mrs Jane Addo, said her outfit was dedicated to providing world standard skills, knowledge and hands-on training necessary for one to succeed worldwide in the culinary industry.
She encouraged the students to embrace the opportunities, challenges and experiences, mindful of the fact that they are well-equipped.
“Hold your heads up while you build a goodwill between your clients and yourselves,” she added.
Mrs Addo said the school was passionate about fostering the culture of creativity, motivation and excellence with the belief that every student had the potential to make a lasting impact in the culinary world.
The founder and leader of QA Consult, Mr Johnson Opoku-Boateng, said graduation was a witness to the unveiling of talents, passion and hard work and testament to months of dedication and hands-on-learning.
He urged the graduands to ensure that their cakes were safe and good for human health and that their success would be dependent on how well they serve, create and grow.
The event also saw the exhibition of cakes and pastries by the students.
receiving her certificate
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
News
Debutant Bella Agyemang lauded for Box Office ‘Magic’
New producer, Bella Agyemang, has been hailed by Silverbird Cinemas and other industry players for her Box Office ‘Magic’ over the weekend.
Bella’s ‘Check In’ movie has received praise for being the first to sell at the cinemas this year.
Speaking to The Spectator, Sales and Marketing Lead at Silverbird Cinemas Ghana, Nana Kwame Obiri-Tete said, for a debutant, Bella Agyemang did fantastically well in her maiden premiere.
He said he was proud of Bella Agyemang’s effort in getting people to show up, adding that she engaged in a lot of marketing activities.
He said her marketing activations on the streets, coupled with other Public Relations endeavours, pointed in the right direction.
“With what she has done, it shows that Bella has a big future. You might have a good product, but if you fail to market it, you cannot get people to patronize. Bella put in a lot of work, which is why she was able to draw a lot of people to the premiere,” Obiri-Tetteh said.
Bella Agyemang, on her part, expressed appreciation to fellow actors, her team, media personalities and all stakeholders who supported her effort ahead of the premiere.
The much-awaited star-studded Ghanaian comedy movie ‘Check-In’ premiered at Silverbird Cinemas on April 12, 2025.
The movie tells a story of chaos and a blackout at a secluded hotel, and amidst these, a resourceful attendant must unravel hidden connections between guests and restore peace before secrets tear them apart.
The movie, produced by Bella Agyemang, featured Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), Clemento Suarez, Jeneral Ntatia, Priscilla Opoku-Agyeman, Felicia Osei, Gideon Kojo Boakye, Clinton Odoi, Fiifi Jefferson Pratt, and Gabriel Hogan among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
