The Ghanaian government has declared that the United States of America has officially confirmed that the 15% tax on Ghana’s cocoa and certain agricultural exports has been lifted.
On Monday, November 24, 2025, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced the development on Facebook, stating that Ghana’s Mission in Washington, D.C. was officially informed of the decision by U.S. diplomats.
Mr. Ablakwa claims that after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new Executive Order, the reversal went into force on November 13, 2025.
The tariff removal rolls back a policy introduced during Trump administration, which had placed significant cost burdens on Ghana’s cocoa exports to the American market.
The rescission covers not only cocoa but a wide range of Ghanaian agricultural products, including cashew nuts, avocados, bananas, mangoes, oranges, limes, plantains, pineapples, guavas, coconuts, ginger, and assorted peppers.
Government officials estimate that with Ghana exporting an average of 78,000 metric tons of cocoa beans to the U.S. annually—at a spot price of about $5,300 per metric ton—eliminating the tariff could yield an additional $60 million (approximately GHC 667 million) in revenue each year.
The move was applauded by the government, which described it as a significant boost to one of Ghana’s most important export industries.
Since the United States continues to be the world’s biggest importer of chocolate and cocoa goods, tariff-free access is very important for Ghana’s export revenue and competitiveness in the market.
In the coming years, Mr. Ablakwa continued, Ghana and the United States are dedicated to enhancing collaboration and developing mutually beneficial economic ties.