You Won't Dictate Our Foreign Policy - Ablakwa Shoots Back at US Senator

Jul 4, 2025 - 18:29

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister

Accra, Ghana - 4 July, 2025 - Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded strongly to comments made by U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Senator Jim Risch, regarding Ghana's debt obligations to American companies.

Ablakwa's remarks come after Risch criticized Ghana's government for prioritizing debt payments to China over U.S. entities.

''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,'' Risch wrote on his X account.

In a statement, Ablakwa dismissed Risch's comments, pointing to the United States' historical role in slavery and advocating for reparations.

He emphasized Ghana's sovereignty, referencing the country's history of resisting colonialism and imperialism under Kwame Nkrumah's leadership.

''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 to be reminded — this is Kwame Nkrumah's Ghana — the first African nation to defeat colonialism and imperialism,'' Ablakwa wrote on X.

Ablakwa also clarified that Ghana will honor its debt obligations according to its economic recovery program, but stressed that the debt in question was not incurred by the current administration.

He contrasted Ghana's approach to responsibility and national obligations with what he perceived as a lack of accountability from the U.S. regarding reparations.

''Let me be clear, those measly debts compared to what you owe us in reparations would 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 added.