Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and James E Risch
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has condemned recent remarks by US Senator James E Risch, describing them as hypocritical and an affront to Ghana’s sovereignty and independence.
Senator Risch, a senior member of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, had criticised Ghana’s debt servicing approach, claiming the country was neglecting financial commitments to US companies and taxpayers while continuing to make larger repayments to China.
“Instead of a trip to DC, Ghana’s foreign minister should focus on honouring his government’s commitments to repay US companies and the American taxpayers. We cannot keep subsidizing Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China,” the senator stated.
His comment follows a diplomatic visit by Ablakwa to Washington, DC where he held talks with senior US officials, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison M Hooker and US Ambassador Troy Damian Fitrell.
The meetings focused on trade, immigration, and the threat of visa sanctions against Ghanaian nationals.
In a post shared on his X page on July 4, 2025, Ablakwa wrote,“This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in the same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the U.S. for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery.”
He continued, “You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country 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.”
The foreign minister added that while Ghana remains committed to fulfilling its debt obligations, it will do so according to its own priorities under the new Mahama administration’s economic recovery program.
“Let me be clear, those measly debts — compared to what you owe us in reparations — will 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,” he noted.
Ghana currently faces pressure from Washington over unresolved immigration issues, with reports suggesting that a US visa ban on Ghanaian nationals may be imminent.
Read his 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
JKB/MA
Cheque Fraud EXPOSED: How it works and how to stay safe
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey
