The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has urged government to immediately clarify its position following the expiration of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on 30 September 2025.

In a statement dated Tuesday (30 September 2025), the Association described the silence from government as “deeply troubling,” given the significant implications for Ghana’s export sector and the broader private sector.

AGOA, first enacted in 2000 and repeatedly extended, gave eligible sub-Saharan African countries including Ghana, duty-free access to the United States market for thousands of products. The trade deal has been a major boost for Ghanaian exports, particularly in cocoa derivatives, cashew, shea butter, gold jewellery, and textiles.

According to the United States Trade Representative’s 2024 report, Ghana exported about US$340 million worth of goods under AGOA’s preferential terms. However, in the first months of 2025, Ghana’s AGOA-linked exports to the U.S. fell sharply by 45% compared to the same period in 2024, signalling the sector’s vulnerability.

The Association warned that with AGOA’s expiration, Ghanaian exporters face immediate risks of being priced out of the U.S. market due to new tariff structures. “Its expiration represents more than a symbolic loss, since it is a real, present risk to the livelihoods and export potential of many Ghanaian businesses,” the statement stressed.

It added that the uncertainty created by government’s lack of communication threatens investment planning and could erode competitiveness in key sectors such as agro-processing and textiles. The Association also cautioned that the expiration undermines the synergy between AGOA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The IEAG has, therefore, laid out five urgent demands:

1. Immediate clarity on whether Ghana intends to pursue renewal of AGOA, negotiate alternatives, or introduce interim measures.
2. A national contingency plan to support exporters, including tariff mitigation and export incentives.
3. Robust diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and multilateral partners to push for renewal or replacement of AGOA.
4. Alignment of AfCFTA strategy with supportive domestic trade, finance, and infrastructure policies.
5. Transparent reporting of export data and trade measures, with regular private-sector consultations.

“Silence today is not an option, since the future of Ghana’s export sector is at stake,” said the Association’s Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit.

He added that the Association will continue to lobby, convene forums, and coordinate data collection to protect the gains made over two decades under AGOA.

The IEAG called on exporters to remain vigilant, document potential losses, and work closely with the Association to strengthen their position as Ghana navigates this uncertain trade environment.

The post Importers and Exporters Association calls on Government to break silence on AGOA expiration appeared first on The Herald ghana.

Read More