Keypoints:
- Ghana’s foreign minister slams US senator’s remarks
- Accuses US of hypocrisy over slavery reparations
- Says Ghana won’t be told how to shape its policy
GHANA’S Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has issued a scathing response to comments made by United States Senator Jim Risch, escalating a diplomatic row over Ghana’s debt obligations and foreign policy posture.
In a fiery statement posted to social media on July 4, Senator Risch criticised Ghana for allegedly failing to repay American companies and taxpayers, suggesting that Ablakwa should stay home to address fiscal issues rather than make diplomatic trips to Washington.
‘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,’ Risch posted on X. ‘We cannot keep subsidising Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China.’
The remarks quickly drew a sharp rebuke from Ablakwa, who described them as ‘extremely offensive’ and ‘hypocritical’, questioning why the US had not taken a similar advocacy position on paying reparations for its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade.
‘This is Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana’
In his pointed reply, Ablakwa wrote: ‘This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in the same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the US for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery.’
He continued: ‘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.’
The foreign minister’s rebuke comes just weeks after his high-profile trips to Washington, DC, where he led a sweeping internal clean-up at Ghana’s embassy following revelations of a major visa fraud scheme. Ablakwa ordered the dismissal of implicated staff, shut down embassy operations temporarily, and initiated legal and auditing procedures to recover stolen funds — moves widely praised at home as proof of accountable leadership.
‘We take responsibility’
Dismissing Risch’s complaint about Ghana’s loan repayments, Ablakwa insisted that the country would fulfil its debt obligations ‘based on our prudent economic recovery programme’. He further noted that the debts were inherited by the new administration under President John Mahama, but would nonetheless be honoured.
‘Let me be clear,’ Ablakwa said, ‘those measly debts compared to what you owe us in reparations would be paid when we deem appropriate. Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations.’
The diplomatic exchange reflects growing tensions over Western conditionalities, with many African leaders increasingly vocal about their perceived unequal treatment in global economic affairs. Ghana, which is restructuring its debt under the IMF programme, continues to balance ties with major powers, including China and the United States.
A sign of shifting alliances
The war of words between the top Ghanaian diplomat and the senior US senator is emblematic of a broader shift in the Global South’s attitude towards traditional Western partners. While the United States remains a significant development partner, Ghanaian officials have become more assertive about charting their own course in both diplomacy and economics.
No official comment has been issued yet by the US State Department, but the heated exchange could complicate bilateral engagements between the two nations in the near term.
The US has previously voiced concern over Ghana’s growing financial dependence on Chinese loans. However, critics in Ghana view this as part of an outdated Cold War mentality that fails to acknowledge African nations’ sovereign right to choose their partners.
As Ablakwa reminded Senator Risch, ‘We will not be dictated to.’
