Accra:Ghana has proposed the creation of a Ghana-China Market Access Council aimed at enabling local exporters to capitalize on China’s zero-tariff initiative for African goods. This move is part of the authorities' efforts to address the growing trade imbalance with China.
According to Ghana Web, the proposal was introduced by Eric Nii Amu Okotokata Dodoo-Amoo, Head of the China Desk at the Ministry of Finance, during a forum at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra on October 15, 2026. The proposed Council seeks to turn China’s duty-free market access into tangible export growth by overcoming supply constraints, enhancing regulatory compliance, and connecting Ghanaian producers with Chinese buyers.
China's zero-tariff initiative, announced in May 2026, offers duty-free access for eligible African exports but presents challenges for Ghanaian businesses, such as limited production capacity and high transport costs. The Council would involve various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance and commercial banks, to coordinate export development and eliminate agency redundancies.
The Council aims to assist small-scale producers in meeting large Chinese order requirements by aggregating output and sharing logistics. It will also focus on ensuring compliance with Chinese import regulations like sanitary standards and packaging rules. Agencies such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority are expected to aid exporters in navigating these regulatory processes.
Additionally, the framework envisions coordination with a proposed Ghana-China Zero-Tariff Fund to provide trade finance and support small-scale processors. The initiative comes amid concerns over the widening trade imbalance, with Ghana’s imports from China far exceeding exports.
The Council is anticipated to help export higher-value products like processed cocoa and shea butter, aiming to shift focus from raw commodities. The government hopes this initiative will transform duty-free access into increased export earnings and a balanced trading relationship with China.