Ghana is on course to become the second African nation to secure a 0% tariff trade agreement with China, a milestone Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described as “a defining moment for Ghana’s economic future.”
Sharing updates from President John Mahama’s recent official visit to China, Ablakwa said the two countries have agreed to finalize and sign the historic trade deal by October 28, 2025.
Once implemented, it will open the door for unrestricted access to the Chinese market and significantly boost Ghana’s exports.
“China remains Ghana’s largest bilateral trading partner, with trade volumes exceeding US$11.8 billion in 2024,” Ablakwa wrote, noting that the deal would give Ghanaian industries a competitive edge and reduce trade barriers that have long hindered growth.
Ablakwa emphasised that President Mahama’s diplomacy has moved from rhetoric to measurable results.
“This agreement is a masterstroke, one that redefines Ghana’s trade landscape and solidifies our position in the Asian market,” he stated.
Beyond trade, Ablakwa revealed that President Mahama and President Xi Jinping also discussed gender equity and economic inclusion.
As the AU Champion for Gender and African Financial Institutions, Mahama pushed for African women entrepreneurs to benefit from China’s US$100 million women’s empowerment package and a training program for 50,000 women.
Ablakwa also highlighted new industrial opportunities, including plans for a US$150 million glass float factory to be established in Ghana’s Western Region.
“This is the tangible face of productive diplomacy, one that turns conversations into factories and jobs,” he said.
He concluded by praising President Mahama’s forward-thinking diplomacy as a symbol of “For God and Country.”
