Mahama must hold crisis meeting over Trump tariffs - Appiah Kusi Adomako

The West Africa Director for CUTS International has urged President John Mahama to act. He wants an emergency meeting to address the new 10% tariff on Ghanaian exports to the U.S.

Appiah Kusi Adomako spoke on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition. He warned that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision could harm Ghana’s economy. This is especially concerning as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) faces uncertainty.

He suggested that President Mahama and his cabinet should strategize a response. “We need to protect our economy and exporters,” he said, not retaliate with tariffs on America.

Mr. Kusi Adomako explained that these tariffs will hurt Ghana’s competitiveness in the U.S. market. This will impact local businesses and jobs significantly.

He shared his experience visiting an AGOA-certified garment factory in Koforidua. This factory exports clothing to major U.S. retailers like Walmart. “If Trump’s tariffs stand, it could struggle to compete,” he warned, raising concerns about job losses.

He also expressed doubt about AGOA's future, which is up for renewal this year. “I doubt the Trump administration would renew it,” he stated.

“We may need clarity from the U.S. Embassy,” he added. The current uncertainty makes it crucial for Ghana to rethink its reliance on American markets.

According to Mr. Kusi Adomako, this tariff situation is a wake-up call for Ghana. It highlights the need to diversify markets and strengthen participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“The Trump administration has shown unpredictability,” he noted, mentioning Canada and the UK as examples of this trend.

He emphasized that Ghana should focus more on regional trade opportunities within Africa. “AfCFTA offers minimal restrictions on our products,” he said, urging Ghana to take advantage of this market.

However, he pointed out significant challenges in trading infrastructure within Africa. For instance, shipping goods from Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire often requires detours through Europe due to logistics issues.

“European ownership of logistics companies complicates matters,” he lamented, calling for improvements in this area.

Mr. Kusi Adomako stressed the need for swift government action now more than ever. “This is not a time for wait-and-see; we need clear leadership.” He urged Mahama to act quickly to protect Ghanaian businesses from potential fallout from these tariffs.