US-Africa Relations Under Trump 2.0: Implications for Ghana and Africa’s Global Standing – Scott Edward Agyemang writes

As Donald Trump returns to the presidency on 20th January 2025, following an overwhelming victory in the 2024 US presidential elections, the world is intensely making observations on the implications of his return to America’s presidency.

For Africa and specifically Ghana, Trump’s return clearly offers an interplay of cautious anticipation and uncertainty because of the remarks he made about Africa in his first term and the promises he made during the 2024 campaign.

Whilst it is extremely difficult to predict President Trump’s intentions with regard to the Global South, he might not entirely relegate Global South issues to the background but use a different approach in interacting with them and Africa and Ghana should be concerned. Economies and democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa remain mainly underdeveloped and this always necessitates reliance on foreign or international aid for development.

Many African nations seek support from advanced countries like the US, UK, Germany and China in tackling developmental gaps. Recently, Russia and China have increased their investments and engagement in Africa and this signals their growing influence on the African continent. If this trend continues, African nations may deepen their ties with these two powers (Russia and China) and this may create some form of discomfort for the US.

Whilst President Trump has previously made harsh comments about Africa and may pursue mass deportations of illegal immigrants, including Africans, it is also anticipated that he could take steps to strengthen trade and economic ties with Africa as a counterbalance to the growing presence of Russia and China.

China’s significant growth and increasing interest in Africa are reshaping global dynamics and this should prompt America to rethink its approach to the continent. President Trump’s administration might consider the use of a win-win bilateral free trade agreement to foster collaboration with Africa and the Global South. Such agreements could present opportunities to build stronger economic partnerships whilst addressing security concerns and promoting energy development.

This shift could particularly benefit nations like Ghana, whose strategic positioning makes it a valuable partner in global trade. However, the harsher the treatment Africa receives from the US, the more likely it is that nations on the continent will gravitate toward China and Russia for support. For the US to remain competitive in Africa, it will need to develop strategies that align with the continent’s aspirations and present mutually beneficial outcomes to potentially pave the way for renewed relations and greater economic cooperation.

For Ghana which has positioned itself as a gateway to Africa, the return of President Trump could offer avenues in strengthening economic cooperation. Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy and a growing hub for technology and manufacturing could be harmonious with President Trump’s proposed policies of encouraging US private sector investments abroad. During his campaign, Trump emphasized creating opportunities for American businesses to expand globally and this could translate into increased investments in Ghana’s oil, gas and agricultural sectors if the government of Ghana effectively takes feasible steps.

Ghana’s emerging renewable energy industry is another area of potential collaboration. Trump’s focus on fostering energy development could bring support for enhancing Ghana’s energy production and export capacity, a move that may help to resolve power outages (Dumsor). These possibilities might demonstrate the need for Ghana to strategically position itself to attract US investments.

However, Ghana’s significant debts to US companies could offer challenges to realizing these opportunities. Recently, Senator James Risch of Idaho, a staunch member of Trump’s Republican Party expressed reservations about Ghana’s intentions to seek additional support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He emphasized that “Ghana must prioritize repaying debts to American companies before seeking additional IMF funding.”

This sentiment could influence IMF decisions and complicate efforts to secure international aid. Consequently, Ghana’s ability to benefit from any renewed US interest in Africa and its economy may be limited unless the government adopts a proactive and tactful approach. President Mahama and his administration must address these financial concerns as they foster productive relations with the US and the IMF.

Security cooperation also remains a critical area of focus. With West Africa grappling with the spread of extremist groups and coup d’états, it is not clear whether President Trump’s administration could intensify support for counterterrorism efforts in the region. Should his administration show interest in security issues in West Africa, Ghana, as a leader in regional peacekeeping might stand to gain from increased US assistance in intelligence and resource mobilization to curb instability. However, Trump’s approach to security often leaned toward transactional diplomacy and raised questions about whether such support would come with significant demands in return.

Despite these opportunities, there are persistent concerns. President Trump’s previous derogatory remarks about African nations have not been forgotten and his return to the presidency raises questions about how he will address perceptions of his administration’s stance on Africa. It is worth noting that, unlike many presidents of the US, President Trump never visited Africa in his first term and Ghana and other African nations must approach any renewed engagement with a blend of optimism and caution and ensure their voices are heard and their interests prioritized.

The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency also raises pertinent questions about LGBTQI+ issues which Africa and Ghana are concerned about. Last year, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (informally called the anti-LGBTQI+ bill) with the aim of not only regulating LGBTQI+ activities but also imposing severe sanctions such as incarcerations to those who will engage in LGBTQI+.

This bill was broadly supported by Christianity, Islam as well as African Traditional religions since they all view LGBTQI+ practices as against their religious practices and beliefs. Nevertheless, former President Akuffo Addo avoided signing the bill due to potential financial implications from the Western world, especially the US under the Biden-Harris regime. Clearly, Trump’s stance on LGBTQI+ is in tandem with that of some African leaders and will not impose anything should Ghana pass the bill into law. Whilst this may be true, President Mahama could anticipate resistance from other Western nations or future U.S. administrations under the Democrats and will also use technicalities to either not sign the bill or delay signing it.

Ghanaians are already seeing these signs from President Mahama as he has recently pointed out that he may refer the bill back to parliament for adjustments. Ghana’s handling of this issue will likely influence how other African countries approach similar legislation.

As Ghana continues to deepen its ties with the US, Ghana could also work through regional blocs like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to advocate for policies that benefit the continent.

President Trump’s return could offer a new chapter in US-Africa relations, but it is up to Ghana and its African peers to ensure that this chapter is written in their favour. With careful diplomacy and strategic partnerships, Ghana has the potential to emerge as a key player in shaping the future of US-Africa engagement under Donald Trump’s administration.