Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed bilateral engagements with the Trump administration goes beyond immigration issues. According to the minister there are engagements towards review of the 15% tariffs slapped on imports from a number of countries including Ghana. The revelation by Mr. Ablakwa follows the decision by the US government to lift visa restrictions on Ghana. The US last week reversed its visa policy on Ghana from the 3 months single entry to 5 years multiple entries.
In a Facebook post, Ablakwa also noted that talks with U.S. officials extend beyond migration issues. He said Ghana is pushing for a review of the 15% tariffs imposed on Ghana, exploring a special bilateral trade deal, and negotiating the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which he described as crucial to Ghana’s garment sector.
“The negotiations I am leading on President Mahama’s instruction includes a strong case for a reassessment of the 15% tariff imposed on Ghana, additionally we are negotiating a special Ghana-US trade deal, engaging on specific requests from US companies and holding fruitful talks on the future of AGOA which is of immense importance to Ghanaian garment companies.” He disclosed
Mr. Ablakwa furthered assured Ghana’s interest will be secured in all engagements to the benefit of citizens.
“The Mahama Administration deeply cares for you — we shall keep working tirelessly to protect our strategic national interest, and we shall ensure our best efforts benefit all Ghanaians.”
Below is the full post of the Minister for Foreign Affairs on his Facebook Page:
Since Ghana became the only country under US visa restrictions to secure a reversal from the Trump Administration, an avalanche of conspiracy theories have been making the rounds.
May I respectfully ask that you ignore the conspiracy theorists and scaremongers.
We offer the following full assurances to Ghanaians:
1) Ghana will not be a dumping ground for US removals;
2) Ghana is not accepting criminals from the US;
3) The understanding with the US government to accept a very limited number of pre-vetted West African nationals without criminal backgrounds is consistent with our ECOWAS protocols and Pan-African credentials. It should be noted that regardless of this arrangement, West African nationals are allowed to enter Ghana without visas;
4) Our mutually beneficial deal with the US government will not undermine Ghana’s security and stability in anyway;
5) Claims that our ongoing negotiations with the US focuses solely on receiving US removals are false. The negotiations I am leading on President Mahama’s instruction includes a strong case for a reassessment of the 15% tariff imposed on Ghana, additionally we are negotiating a special Ghana-US trade deal, engaging on specific requests from US companies and holding fruitful talks on the future of AGOA which is of immense importance to Ghanaian garment companies.
The Mahama Administration deeply cares for you — we shall keep working tirelessly to protect our strategic national interest, and we shall ensure our best efforts benefit all Ghanaians.
For God and Country.
