A photo collage of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (L) and Senator James E Risch (R)
The United States of America has issued a warning to Ghana over its mounting financial commitments to China while allegedly neglecting obligations to U S companies and taxpayers.
A top-ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator James E Risch, has criticised Ghana’s approach to debt servicing, stating that the U S cannot continue supporting the country financially while the West African nation directs larger repayments to Beijing, China.
“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 subsidizing Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China,” Senator Risch declared.
The rebuke follows a diplomatic engagement between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and senior U S officials at the State Department, including Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison M Hooker and Ambassador Troy Damian Fitrell.
The high-level talks in Washington centered on strengthening US-Ghana relations, with a particular focus on trade, immigration, and the looming threat of visa sanctions against Ghanaian nationals.
Ghana is currently at risk of being slapped with a U S visa ban over concerns that too many of its citizens particularly students overstay their visas.
According to U S authorities, 21% of Ghanaian students who study in America fail to return home, significantly above the 15% tolerance threshold.
Speaking after the meeting, Ablakwa confirmed the US has raised concerns over visa overstays, but expressed optimism that ongoing diplomatic engagements could lead to a favorable outcome.
“The US officials have communicated to us that the challenge we face really relates to overstays, particularly with students. They have formally communicated to us that 21% is the default rate,” Ablakwa revealed.
Despite this, he emphasised that Ghana has not been flagged for other serious concerns such as terrorism, harbouring criminals, or refusal to accept deportees’ issues that form part of the 12-point criteria the U.S. uses to impose visa sanctions.
Senator Risch’s remarks expose a deeper tension beneath the surface: Washington’s frustration over Ghana’s growing financial entanglements with China, a key economic partner that has extended significant loans and infrastructure investments to the West African nation.
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
AM/KA
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