Breaking Barriers: A Win for Ghanaian Farmers and a Call for Collective Action

🚨 Big Win for Ghana! Lumen Gruppe Consulting welcomes the announcement of the United States of America lifting the 15% reciprocal tariff on Ghana's Cocoa and other Agricultural exports as announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana yesterday. Lumen Gruppe Consulting congratulates the Honourable Minister and the Government of Ghana for their earnest work on getting this result for the Ghanaian farmers.

Despite recognizing that the U.S. is not Ghana's largest market in terms of Cocoa and Cocoa Products as well as key Agricultural exports and therefore, the impact of the tariff reversal will be limited, it is nonetheless a great relieve for the Ghanaian economy and signals the breakthrough of a difficult negotiation on the part of #Ghana.

Lumen Gruppe Consulting encourages the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana and the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Greater Accra Regional Office to switch their attention to one of Ghana's crucial exports to the U.S. which is the #Apparel, #Garment and #Textile #Manufacturing #Industry which has suffered a massive blow due to the expiration of the African Growth Opportunity Act (#AGOA). The expiration of AGOA and the retention of 15% reciprocal tariffs on the Ghanaian Apparel and Garment Manufacturing Industry's exports have placed over 10,000 jobs of which 90% are women and youth at risk. This industry is proudly boast of about 90% women-led ownership and these businesses are at risks of difficulties thereby, threatening the to widen the gender-wealth and wages gap in Ghana.

The successful negotiation for the lifting of the 15% tariffs on Cocoa and other key agricultural exports to the U.S. signifies hope for the Apparel and Garment Manufacturing Industry and Lumen Gruppe Consulting will entreat the Government of Ghana to join hands in negotiations with the other prominent African Countries that are leading Apparel and Garment exports to the U.S. such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Lesotho, Madagascar, Tanzania, South Africa and Morocco. It is our believe that in the absence of AGOA, a collective bargaining approach will better suit the interest of Ghana and its counterparts to yield the deal terms of mutual benefits with the U.S. rather than engaging in a bilateral negotiation.

Ghana remains a vibrant country in Africa and could lead the initiative of bringing together the remaining African countries to secure a better deal for their Apparel and Garment Manufacturing Industries which collectively contributes to over a million jobs.

Last updated on 25/11/2025