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Foreign Trade in Figures

Ghana is very open to trade which accounts for almost 125% of the GDP. The economic policy led by the government aims to create an economic environment that facilitates the development of the private sector, guaranteeing a transparent trade regime and the country's competitiveness in the international market. Ghana is a member of the WTO, ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and has signed several bilateral partnership agreements.

Customs duties are not very high, but they are levied on all import products. Certain goods like mercuric medicated soap, toxic waste or contaminated goods are prohibited.

Foreign trade mainly relies on three products: gold, cocoa and, since 2011, oil.

Ghana has a trade deficit, since it imports great amounts of foodstuffs and crude oil. However, the trend of this deficit will be reduced under the joint effect of the revenues from oil exports and the efforts made by the diversification of its domestic supply.

Ghana mainly exports ores and precious stones (gold, bauxite, aluminum, manganese and diamonds), cocoa, wood, oil, fish and horticultural products. Its main clients are the European Union (16.4%), followed by Africa, the United States and the Middle East. The Netherlands occupies a special place (11.7%) as the main client in horticultural products. 

The country mainly imports equipment goods, oil and foodstuffs from China, Nigeria (these two represent a market's share of more than 29%). Other main suppliers of Ghana are the United States, Ivory Coast, France, the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, the Netherlands and Brazil.

 
Foreign Trade Indicators 20072008200920102011
Imports of Goods (million USD) 8,06110,2698,04611,04015,000
Exports of Goods (million USD) 4,1955,2705,8408,08013,000
Imports of Services (million USD) 1,8082,0382,1662,4442,851
Exports of Services (million USD) 1,6141,5591,7221,3441,614
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 2225-1469-
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 18171354-
Trade Balance (million USD) -3,894-4,999-2,207-2,962-
Current Account (million USD) -2,151-3,543-1,198--
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 65707264-
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 41444138-
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 25253125-

Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank - Last Available Data.

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Main Partner Countries

Main Customers
(% of Exports)
2010
South Africa 53.5%
United Arab Emirates 6.8%
Netherlands 5.6%
Switzerland 4.1%
United Kingdom 3.4%
See More Countries 26.7%
Main Suppliers
(% of Imports)
2010
United States 13.7%
China 13.2%
France 6.2%
Belgium 5.5%
United Kingdom 4.8%
See More Countries 56.6%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

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Main Products

Main Exports
(% of Exports)
2010
Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought...Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought or not further worked than semi-manufactured or in powder form 64.4%
Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roastedCocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted 16.2%
Plates, sheets and strip, of aluminium, of a...Plates, sheets and strip, of aluminium, of a thickness of > 0,2 mm (excl. expanded plates, sheets and strip) 2.2%
Cocoa butter, fat and oilCocoa butter, fat and oil 1.7%
Manganese ores and concentrates, incl. ferruginous...Manganese ores and concentrates, incl. ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates, with a manganese content of >= 20%, calculated on the dry weight "ecsc" 1.5%
See More Products 14.2%
Main Imports
(% of Imports)
2010
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702) 6.5%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab 4.1%
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides...Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put up for retail sale or as preparations or articles, e.g. sulphur-treated bands, wicks and candles, and fly-papers 3.2%
Electrical apparatus for line telephony or line...Electrical apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy, incl. line telephone sets with cordless handsets and telecommunication apparatus for carrier-current line systems or for digital line systems; videophones; parts thereof 2.6%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured 2.6%
See More Products 80.9%

Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data

 

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Commercial Policy

Main International Economic Cooperation
Member of World Trade Organisation
Member of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Member of African Union (AU)

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

Assessment of Commercial Policy
Country’s commercial policy
Barriers to exchanges
Barriers to exchanges
Average Customs Duty (Excluding Agricultural Products)
12.22%
 

List of tariffs and local taxes that apply to your product on our service Customs duties and local taxes

 
Useful Resources
Ghana Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS)
National Organization of Intellectual Property
You can contact the Registrar General's Department by Email.
 

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Learn more about How to Export to Ghana on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Service Providers.
 

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Last Updates: May 2012

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