The Government of Ghana has fully embraced a major development in its trade relations with the United States, following the US House of Representatives’ overwhelming vote to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for three more years.
The extension, approved by a margin of 340‑to‑54, now heads to the Senate for final endorsement before being sent to the President for signature.
AGOA was first enacted in 2000 to provide eligible sub-Saharan African countries with preferential duty-free access to the US market, thereby creating more lucrative opportunities for local businesses to expand their exports and create jobs.
The programme was allowed to lapse at the end of September 2025, after years of debate over its future in Congress.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, during a bilateral engagement in Accra on 14 January 2026, said the extension was “great news” for Ghana, noting its potential to boost local garment production and create jobs.
“The US conveyed another great news, specifically relating to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) — the House of Representatives voted massively on Monday, by 340 votes to 54, to extend AGOA by three years,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
“AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for eligible Sub‑Saharan countries and products. We expect a final endorsement by the Senate shortly. This positive development will boost local garment production and create more jobs,” he added.
Leave a Reply