The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has reassured Ghanaians that key U.S.-funded health programmes would not be affected by President Trump’s new tariffs.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News on Thursday, April 3 2025, she indicated that programs addressing infant and child mortality, maternal health, malaria, HIV, essential medicines, and vaccines would be spared.
Her remarks come in response to a series of new tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump, including a 34% levy on Chinese imports and a 20% tax on goods from the European Union. These measures have heightened global trade tensions and sparked mixed reactions from world leaders.
“Many of the programmes have been reviewed and changed, but Ghana has done better than many places. I’m very pleased that the life-saving programmes will continue,” she said.
She expressed confidence that Ghana’s key exports, such as gold and gas, would remain vital to global trade and would not be significantly affected by U.S. policy shifts.
“We have the historical and cultural [ties]. Also, more than $3 billion in bilateral trade investment is one of the key pillars. There are also goods and services—gold coming from here, gas coming from here—and we have automobiles and pharmaceuticals coming from the United States.
“So, it is something that builds prosperity in all the countries. It is all to say that no matter the changes in language and no matter the change in focus, Ghana remains an important part of the United States, and we will continue to be so,” she emphasized.
Ms. Palmer noted that the United States remains committed to Ghana’s economic recovery, citing upcoming initiatives such as a major U.S. trade mission and a planned U.S.- Africa Business Summit. “The United States is behind Ghana’s economic recovery through things like the World Bank and IMF, but also American company interest in coming here,” The ambassador noted.
The US Ambassador to Ghana’s assurance reinforced the enduring strength of the two countries even as global trade policies evolve.
