The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has called for a coordinated national response to the United States’ recent imposition of a 10% tariff on Ghanaian exports.
In a strongly worded statement issued on 9th April 2025, the group described the move as a direct threat to the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers, textile workers, and SMEs.
“This is not merely a trade issue; it is a bread-and-butter issue,” the CDM stated, warning that the tariff would lead to rising unemployment and foreign exchange shortfalls.
The tariff, reportedly linked to Ghana’s 17% average tariff on U.S. goods, has been described as unjustified under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants Ghana duty-free access to the U.S. market.
The CDM questioned whether the U.S. had formally revoked AGOA benefits, saying, “The application of a blanket 10% tariff on Ghanaian goods may contradict the spirit of the agreement if AGOA benefits are not explicitly revoked by the U.S. Congress.”
The group called for high-level diplomatic intervention and urged Ghana’s leadership to “respond with clarity, legality, and unity.”
In the wake of the United States’ imposition of a 10% tariff on Ghanaian exports, the Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has proposed the urgent passage of legislation to protect local exporters.
The group recommended that Parliament fast-track the establishment of a National Export Adjustment Facility.
“This fund, drawn from petroleum windfalls or levies, could cushion exporters, subsidise trade logistics, and support retooling for affected industries,” CDM stated in its 9th April release.
The proposal forms part of a broader strategy aimed at mitigating the negative impact of the tariff on industries such as cocoa processing, textiles, and agro-exports.
CDM emphasised the need for long-term economic resilience.
“Let our response be measured, informed by law and diplomacy, and driven by the collective good of the Republic. Ghana first. Always,” the group declared.
The statement also called for the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative to be repurposed with a strong export-oriented focus to boost value addition and reduce overreliance on raw exports.
The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) is urging Ghana to intensify regional trade integration and prepare to challenge the new U.S. tariff through international legal mechanisms.
The group’s latest statement described the 10% tariff on Ghanaian goods as economically damaging and diplomatically questionable under both AGOA and World Trade Organization (WTO) principles.
CDM recommended invoking the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) strategy to diversify export markets.
“With Ghana hosting the AfCFTA Secretariat, now is the time to lead by example,” the conveners urged.
Additionally, the group suggested that Ghana could raise the issue at the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body should diplomatic engagements with the U.S. fail.
“As a WTO member, Ghana has a right to challenge unilateral trade restrictions if they violate MFN or AGOA principles,” the statement read.
CDM further called on ECOWAS to rally behind Ghana and protect regional trade interests, warning that punitive tariffs set a dangerous precedent for West African economies.
