The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) is calling for an urgent, strategic, and bipartisan response from the Ghanaian government following the imposition of a 10% tariff on key Ghanaian exports by the United States.
The tariff, introduced under former U.S. President Donald Trump, is reportedly in retaliation for Ghana’s average 17% tariff on American goods—a move that has sparked concern across sectors dependent on U.S. trade, including cocoa, textiles, and agriculture.
In a statement issued in Accra, the CDM labeled the development a serious economic threat, warning it could negatively affect thousands of farmers, factory workers, and small business owners.
The group called for unity among government, opposition parties, and civil society to confront what it described as “a direct challenge to Ghana’s economic independence.”
CDM convenor Victor Gyapong emphasized the tangible impact of the tariff on everyday Ghanaians. “This isn’t just about trade figures—it’s about the cocoa farmer in Sefwi, the seamstress in Tema, and the cashew trader in Techiman. Their survival is at stake. Ghana must respond decisively and intelligently,” he said.
The group highlighted that nearly 30% of Ghana’s cocoa exports to the U.S. consist of processed products such as cocoa powder and paste, which now fall under the new tariff regime. It also raised concerns about Ghana’s apparel sector, which employs thousands under youth-focused job programs and now faces a loss of competitiveness in the U.S. market.
CDM also questioned the legality of the tariff, citing Ghana’s ongoing compliance with the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)—a U.S. trade initiative that grants duty-free access to eligible African countries.
“AGOA has clear rules, and Ghana has met them. Any concerns should be addressed through proper diplomatic channels, not through sudden, punitive tariffs,” stated co-convenor Asare Kennedy.
Since its enactment in 2000, AGOA has allowed Ghana to export more than 6,700 product categories to the U.S. duty-free, supporting efforts to diversify the economy beyond raw commodity exports.
To mitigate the impact of the new tariff, the CDM put forward a five-point action plan:
1. High-Level Diplomacy: Engage U.S. officials, including Congress and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), at the highest level.
2. Leverage AfCFTA: Accelerate intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
3. WTO & ECOWAS Action: Seek redress through the World Trade Organization and rally ECOWAS for a united response.
4. Export Support Fund: Fast-track legislation to establish a National Export Adjustment Facility, financed by petroleum revenues, to aid affected businesses.
5. Boost Local Value Addition: Prioritize agro-processing and industrial growth to minimize dependence on raw material exports.
“This is not the moment for political divisions or hesitation. Our response must be prompt, lawful, and rooted in the national interest—Ghana first, always,” the CDM stressed.
Reaffirming its dedication to democratic principles, the group expressed confidence that Ghana could overcome this challenge through unity, strategic planning, and collective resilience.
