US visa reversal poses no threat – Ablakwa
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured Ghanaians that the recent reversal of United States visa restrictions carries no hidden costs to the country’s sovereignty or security.
His comments follow a major diplomatic breakthrough on Friday, 26 September, when the United States lifted visa sanctions imposed on Ghana in July.
The decision now allows Ghanaians to apply for five-year multiple-entry visas, along with other enhanced consular privileges.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Ablakwa dismissed what he described as “an avalanche of conspiracy theories and scaremongers” that surfaced after the announcement.
“Since Ghana became the only country under US visa restrictions to secure a reversal from the Trump Administration, conspiracy theories have been making the rounds. May I respectfully ask that you ignore the conspiracy theorists and scaremongers,” he noted.
Mr Ablakwa emphasised that no criminals were being accepted into the country under the agreement, clarifying the limited arrangement to receive pre-vetted West African nationals without criminal records aligns strictly with ECOWAS protocols.
The Minister assured the public that the nation’s security and stability would not be compromised, while ongoing negotiations with the United States also cover tariffs, trade opportunities and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), beyond deportation matters.
Mr Ablakwa further noted that the Mahama administration’s engagement with Washington includes lobbying for a reassessment of the 15 per cent tariff on Ghanaian exports, discussions on a special bilateral trade deal, and talks on the future of AGOA, which is vital to the country’s garment industry.
“The Mahama administration deeply cares for you. We shall keep working tirelessly to protect our strategic national interest, and we shall ensure our best efforts benefit all Ghanaians,” he added.
