Ghana’s $4.3 billion export industry is at a crossroads as the United States slaps a 10% tariff on Ghanaian products, a move that could cripple industries benefiting from duty-free access under
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

For years, Ghanaian exporters, especially in the textile, cocoa, and agricultural sectors, have relied on the US market to stay competitive. Now, as tariffs threaten to erode their pricing advantage, experts say AfCFTA is Ghana’s best bet for survival.

However, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of neglecting AfCFTA, citing inadequate funding and policy direction. While the previous administration launched a National AfCFTA Policy Framework, the current budget fails to prioritise its implementation, raising concerns that Ghana is not positioned to take full advantage of intra-African trade.

A well-implemented AfCFTA strategy could help Ghanaian businesses pivot away from US dependency by unlocking continental trade opportunities. The apparel industry, for instance, could target South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, while processed cocoa and yams could find new markets in North and East Africa.

Yet, the biggest challenge remains government inaction. Industry players argue that without investment in trade infrastructure, financial support for exporters, and aggressive market expansion efforts, Ghana may lose out on the full benefits of AfCFTA.

The US tariffs serve as a wake-up call—Ghana must decide whether to cling to an uncertain future in Western markets or fully embrace the AfCFTA vision. The next few months will be crucial in determining whether Ghana’s export sector sinks under external pressure or rises through intra-African trade resilience.