U.S. Ambassador to Ghana calls for continued dialogue over 10% tariff imposition

The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has called for more dialogue. This follows high-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions were about a new 10 percent tariff on imports from Ghana and other countries.

This tariff policy will take effect this week. It has raised concerns in Ghana’s private sector. Industry experts warn it could harm exports and reduce government revenue.

This situation comes after the U.S. decided to cut some USAID support to Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama sees this as a threat to vital funding. In response, he instructed the Finance Minister to address potential revenue shortfalls.

After her meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 7, Ambassador Palmer spoke to the media. She acknowledged the concerns but remains optimistic about U.S.-Ghana relations. She emphasized the need for ongoing engagement to find beneficial solutions.

“I had a great meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” she said. “We discussed how strong our relationship is and ways to keep it that way.” They also talked about global tariffs and improving trade relations while maintaining low tariffs.

When asked about the impact of new tariffs on U.S.-Ghana relations, she replied, “I hope Ghana will gain benefits compared to its competitors.” She added that they would continue discussions moving forward.