Tema, Ghana – The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has described the 10% tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Ghanaian imports as a wake-up call and an opportunity for Ghana and the rest of Africa to strengthen intra-African trade and build greater economic resilience.
His remarks follow Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement, which includes a 10% levy on Ghanaian goods, a 34% tariff on Chinese imports, and a 20% tax on products from the European Union—a move that has intensified global trade tensions.
Turning a Challenge Into an Opportunity
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s “Yepe Ahunu” show, Mr. Koomson urged Ghana and fellow African nations to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to cushion the potential economic blow of the tariffs and foster regional self-reliance.
“This is the perfect time for Ghana and Africa to become self-reliant,” he stressed. “We must deepen our internal trade systems and reduce overdependence on external markets.”
Critique of Trump’s Tariff Strategy
Mr. Koomson also criticized President Trump’s tariff-centric approach, warning that such protectionist measures could backfire on the U.S. economy.
He pointed out that labour costs in the United States are significantly higher than in countries like China, which could lead to increased production costs and higher prices for American consumers.
“Trump’s actions will bring America problems in the future,” Koomson declared. “By trying to shield domestic industries, he may be hurting the very consumers he claims to protect.”
Call for Strategic Economic Planning in Africa
Abraham Koomson called on African leaders to respond with long-term strategic planning, focused on industrial development, value addition, and regional market integration.
He emphasized that global economic disruptions can serve as catalysts for Africa to redefine its economic priorities and assert its independence.
His remarks align with growing calls across the continent for reduced dependency on Western economies and a reinvigoration of African manufacturing and trade systems, particularly through the full implementation of AfCFTA.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites
) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 
