GHANA’S TRADE RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A CASE STUDY OF THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA)

ABSTRACT AGOA offers Sub-Saharan African countries some special privileges and opportunities to export their products into the United States of America without restrictions. It seeks to promote sound socio-economic and political development within the affected region through intercontinental trade liberalization. This work is, therefore, an attempt made to investigate the extent to which AGOA has contributed to transform the economic, social, and political structures of Ghana since 2000. This research progressed through five major Chapters. In Chapter one, the researcher gave the introduction of the study, statement of the research problem as well as the research model used for this study. While Chapter two reviewed existing academic literature on the impact of AGOA in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Chapter three, on the other hand, sought to explain the research methodology used for this study. Chapter four analyzed the research data gathered from the field. In Chapter five, the researcher gave a summary of the study and his recommendations based on the research findings. Interviews were conducted at various time periods and in different institutions to solicit the views and opinions of both Ghanaian and U.S. experts on the challenges and impact of AGOA in Ghana. The research exercise showed that, aside economic and social gains, the nation‟s political relations with the United States and with neighboring countries have been improved greatly under AGOA initiatives despite the challenges. In other words, AGOA has worked to multiply job opportunities and enhanced the nation‟s effectiveness in responding to the needs of Ghanaians. In addition, AGOA provides Ghana the opportunity to interact with both U.S. and African political leaders on vital issues relating to trade and good governance through its annual Forums.