Ghana, US reaffirm trade and investment ties after high-level talks in Washington

Ghana and the United States have reaffirmed their strong trade and investment partnership following high-level discussions held at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Ghana’s Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, together with Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith, met with the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Lee Greer, to discuss Ghana’s proposal for a structured cooperation framework aimed at expanding bilateral trade, increasing export opportunities and attracting U.S. investment into priority sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

The meeting also reviewed recent U.S. tariff measures and their implications for Ghana’s access to the U.S. market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), as well as ongoing discussions on the programme’s renewal. Ghana stressed the need for tariff flexibility and differential treatment to support industrial growth, value addition and job creation, particularly in the textiles, garments and cocoa processing sectors.

Discussions further highlighted Ghana’s strategic role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and how the agreement positions the country as a gateway for deeper U.S.–Africa commercial relations.

The engagement ended with both sides agreeing to exchange draft frameworks and indicative timelines towards establishing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation agreement, signalling stronger economic collaboration going forward.