Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has urged the public to disregard “conspiracy theorists and scaremongers” regarding the recent US decision to lift visa restrictions on Ghana. The Minister offered assurances to address public anxieties, clarifying that Ghana will not be a “dumping ground” for US removals and is explicitly “not accepting criminals from the US.”
According to Minister Ablakwa, the agreement with the US government is to accept only a “very limited number of pre-vetted West African nationals without criminal backgrounds,” which is consistent with Ghana’s ECOWAS protocols and Pan-African credentials. He guaranteed that the “mutually beneficial deal” will not undermine Ghana’s security or stability.
The Minister refuted claims that the ongoing negotiations with the US focus solely on removals, stating that the talks also include a reassessment of the 15% tariff imposed on Ghana, negotiation of a special trade deal, engagement on requests from US companies, and discussions on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Minister Ablakwa affirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the nation’s strategic interests and ensuring the best outcome for all Ghanaians.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
