Senator James E Risch, a top-ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, has told Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to focus on his government commitments to repay U.S. companies.
According to the US Senator, the USA cannot keep subsidising Ghana while the country keeps paying far larger debts to China.
In a post on a social media page on X, Senator James E Risch criticised Ghana’s approach to debt servicing. He wrote, “Instead of a trip to D.C., Ghana’s foreign minister should focus on honouring his government’s commitments to repay U.S. companies and the American taxpayers.
We cannot keep subsidising Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China”.
His comments come on the back Ablakwa’s engagement with senior US officials at the State Department, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison M Hooker and Ambassador Troy Damian Fitrell which focused on strengthening the U.S.-Ghana partnership and commercial and immigration issues important to both of our countries.
Ghana risks being slapped with a US visa ban over too many of Ghana’s citizens, particularly students overstay their visas.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that Ghana has officially been notified of the risk of being slapped with a U S visa ban,
At a press conference in Accra on Thursday, 26 June, Mr Ablakwa stated, “We have so far been formally notified of 188 Ghanaians on President Trump’s deportation list”.
“Our embassies in New York and Washington are cooperating with U.S. counterparts, and travel certificates are being promptly issued”, he added.
Ablakwa assured, “We will be at the airport to welcome our compatriots and ensure they are properly integrated”.
“This will be done discreetly to protect their dignity, especially since many are returning under distressing circumstances—some without personal belongings or savings.”
“We’ve had very productive meetings with the U.S. State Department and White House officials. Ghana’s long-standing and strategic ties with the United States will count for something,” he said.
Ablakwa further added, “We are confident Ghana will not be treated like countries facing serious national security red flags. Our cooperation has been consistent, and we remain a responsible partner.”
See the post below:
Instead of a trip to D.C., Ghana’s foreign minister should focus on honoring his government’s commitments to repay U.S. companies and the American taxpayers. We cannot keep subsidizing Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China. https://t.co/vc5314Ptv7
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman (@SenateForeign) July 1, 2025
