Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has replied to Senator James E Risch, a top-ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Senator James E Risch had earlier told 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”.
However, Ablakwa in his response fired shots at the US senator over his refusal to engage in the same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the US for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery.
In a post on X Ablakwa stated, “This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the US for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery.
You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country on how we conduct our foreign policy — if you need to be reminded — this is Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana — the first African nation to defeat colonialism and imperialism”.
He added, “Let me be clear, those measly debts compared to what you owe us in reparations would be paid when we deem appropriate based on our prudent economic recovery program — even though the debt was not created by the new Mahama Administration. Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations”.
His comments come on the back Ablakwa’s engagement with senior U S 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:
This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the US for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery.
You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country on how we conduct our foreign policy — if you need… https://t.co/EKBc28rhpY
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) July 4, 2025
