Growing trade between Accra and Washington

Bilateral trade between the United States and Ghana grew by 48 per cent in 2010, reaching almost $1.3 billion. US investment in Ghana is currently valued at nearly $1 billion and is likely to increase as new economic opportunities materialise, as exemplified in the recently-inaugurated direct flight route between Accra and Washington D.C.

92 per cent of Ghana's exports to the US enter duty-free under preferential trade agreements such as the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Ghana is exporting a growing range of products from cash crops like cocoa, cassava, mangoes and papaya. In 2010, over $800,000 in textiles was exported while Ghanaian farmers exported almost $48 million in goods to the US under AGOA - in both cases more than double the amount during the same period in 2009.

Meanwhile the US-funded West Africa Trade Hub in Accra continues to provide resources for economic development and job creation in 21 west African countries. In 2009 the trade hub facilitated over $20 million in exports, drew investment of more than $1 million, trained some 2,300 entrepreneurs and provided technical assistance to 700 firms.