Emmanuel Mensah, Head of Trade and Working Capital at Absa Bank Ghana, has criticised Ghana’s sluggish response to the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, calling for urgent reforms in how the country monitors and responds to global economic trends.
Speaking at the Citi Business Forum on Thursday, June 12, 2025, under the theme “The Global Tariffs Dispute: Navigating Ghana’s Recovery Strategy,” Mr. Mensah expressed concern that Ghana had yet to develop a coherent and timely strategy to deal with the broader implications of escalating global trade tensions.
“We have had such tensions in the past, but as a country, we are too late in time in strategising and trying to navigate this maze of geopolitics,” he stated.
The U.S.-China trade war, which began during the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump through the imposition of tariffs on key trading partners, most notably China, continues to shape global economic dynamics. Its ripple effects have stretched well beyond the two superpowers, disrupting supply chains and altering trade patterns worldwide.
Mr. Mensah warned that emerging economies like Ghana cannot afford to remain passive observers in such volatile circumstances. He underscored the importance of investing in real-time trade intelligence systems that extend beyond domestic data collection.
“We need to build trade intelligence. We have the Ghana Statistical Service—what can they do? It is good to have a handle on your economic data points, but we should be taking a keen interest in what is happening in other people’s backyards. That should guide us in the navigation,” he emphasized.
According to him, a reactive approach to external shocks leaves Ghana vulnerable to missed opportunities and unanticipated risks. He urged the government and economic policymakers to adopt a more proactive stance in tracking global trade movements, especially as the country seeks to consolidate its recovery after years of economic turbulence.
“I believe that when we have these, and they inform policies and strategies, this wouldn’t be much of a challenge for us. We are just caught in the web because we are really not prepared as a country to take advantage,” he added.
The 2025 Citi Business Festival, powered by Citi FM and Channel One TV, is a month-long initiative dedicated to driving business growth and economic transformation.
It is held in partnership with Absa Bank Ghana and MTN, with sponsorship from Zonda Tec Ghana.
CBF: Access to info, capital, and markets will transform Agriculture – Farmerline CEO