Core Insights - Ghana's trade with Europe is more extensive than its trade with neighboring African countries, raising questions about structural bottlenecks that limit intra-African trade [1][2] - The European Union remains one of Ghana's largest trading partners, with significant exports including cocoa, gold, oil, and processed agricultural products, while imports consist of machinery, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured goods [1] - In 2022, the top five export destinations for Ghana were Switzerland and Liechtenstein, China, the United States, the UAE, and India, with Europe and Asia accounting for approximately 77% of Ghana's total imports, while imports from Africa only made up 11% [1] - High transportation costs, limited railway connections, and inefficient ports and border crossings are key factors restricting intra-African trade, making it often cheaper and faster for Ghanaian exporters to ship goods to Rotterdam or Antwerp than to nearby African markets [1] - Ghana's export structure is heavily reliant on primary products, with gold accounting for 38% of total exports, mineral fuels and oils at 31%, and cocoa at 12%, leading to limited opportunities for complementary trade among African nations unless value addition is increased [2] - Analysts believe that the trade gap between Ghana and Europe versus Africa may gradually narrow with the ongoing development of the African Continental Free Trade Area, contingent on sustained policy reforms, infrastructure investment, and active private sector participation [2]