Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, is urging the government to act swiftly to secure tariff exemptions for Ghanaian exports following the imposition of a 10% tariff by the United States on goods from Ghana.
The new trade measure, he warned, could severely undercut the competitiveness of Ghanaian products in the U.S. market, threatening businesses, jobs, and economic gains made in the past decade. He stressed that many budding export-oriented businesses, especially those targeting the American market, now face an uncertain future.
“Ghana must engage the U.S. and ultimately seek a waiver for our nation,” Nkrumah said, emphasizing the need for diplomatic and trade negotiations at the highest levels.
He highlighted the importance of building on the foundation of economic diplomacy laid under the previous administration, including initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to safeguard Ghana’s interests on the global stage.
Nkrumah further linked the issue to the government’s 24-hour economy policy, stating that export growth is key to generating the demand needed for such a model to thrive.
“The government’s much-touted 24-hour economy will rely on interventions like this to create the export space that will ignite demand for existing and new 24-hour businesses. The time to act and act swiftly is now,” he added.
The 10% tariff has sparked concern among stakeholders in the export sector, many of whom are now looking to the government for immediate action to prevent further economic strain.
