Minority slams government’s inaction on U.S. 10% tariff imposition

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has criticized the government for what it describes as a lack of decisive response to the recent 10% tariff imposed by the United States on Ghanaian exports.

In a statement signed by Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry, and Tourism Committee, Michael Okyere Baafi, the Caucus warned that Ghana risks being caught off guard in an emerging trade war due to the government’s failure to prioritize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The NDC administration has shown no serious response to the tariff blow.
They’ve ignored existing strategies that could have shielded our economy from external shocks,” part of the statement read.

The Minority accused the government of sidelining export-oriented policies and downplaying the significance of AfCFTA in national planning and budgetary allocations.

The newly announced 10% tariff, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a broader tariff escalation affecting several African nations, threatens to derail the benefits Ghana currently enjoys under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers duty-free access to over 6,700 Ghanaian products in the U.S. AGOA is due to expire in September 2025 unless renewed.

Sectors such as apparel, cocoa products, and yam exports currently supported under AGOA stand to suffer the most. The apparel sector alone provides employment for over 5,000 young Ghanaians.

“This isn’t just about trade it’s about jobs, livelihoods, and national economic stability,” the Minority stressed.

They pointed out that AfCFTA, whose headquarters is in Accra, was established to help reduce Ghana’s dependence on unpredictable foreign markets. Under the previous NPP government, initiatives like the National AfCFTA Policy Framework and the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme enabled local producers to tap into regional markets, boosting exports across ECOWAS.

“But under this government, AfCFTA has been underfunded and largely ignored. There are no specialized programmes for exporters, no plans to diversify trade destinations, and no diplomatic moves to ease the impact of these tariffs,” the statement added.

The Minority has therefore urged the government to act immediately by:

Prioritizing and funding the AfCFTA Action Plan.

Engaging U.S. authorities diplomatically to clarify and negotiate the tariffs.

Offering direct support to exporters through funding, training, and market insights.

Developing a comprehensive national export strategy to build resilience.

“This is no time for silence or delay. Ghana must act now or risk losing valuable ground both internationally and at home.”