Raphael Kanu
A simmering diplomatic spat between Ghana and the United States has erupted into public view after Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, delivered a fiery rebuttal to US Senator Jim Risch, who criticised Ghana over unpaid debts to American firms and alleged financial irresponsibility.
The controversy ignited on July 4, when Senator Risch, a ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took to social media to accuse Ghana of neglecting obligations to American companies and taxpayers. In his post, he implied that Ablakwa should remain in Accra rather than travelling to Washington, arguing that Ghana appeared to prioritise Chinese creditors while leaning heavily on US goodwill.
But Ablakwa was quick and unrelenting in his response. In a sharply worded statement posted across his social media platforms, the Ghanaian minister called the senator’s remarks both “hypocritical” and “offensive,” questioning the moral high ground of a nation that has yet to fully reckon with its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade.
“You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country how we conduct our foreign policy. This is Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana,” Ablakwa thundered.
“If you seek moral credibility in financial matters, perhaps America should begin by discussing reparations for slavery before pointing fingers over measly loan repayments.”
At the core of the diplomatic standoff is the sensitive issue of sovereign debt and international influence. Ghana, like many African countries, is engaged in complex restructuring of its foreign debts — including those owed to China and Western nations — amid domestic economic pressures.
Senator Risch’s remarks were interpreted by many in Accra as part of a broader trend in which Western officials seek to leverage financial assistance to assert geopolitical dominance, particularly in the face of growing Chinese and BRICS influence in Africa.
But Ablakwa made it clear: Ghana will pay its debts — “responsibly, but on its own terms.”
The diplomatic rift comes just weeks after Ablakwa undertook major reforms at Ghana’s embassy in Washington, where he terminated several staff and suspended operations over a high-profile visa fraud scandal. That bold move earned him praise at home and abroad for taking swift action to restore integrity in Ghana’s foreign missions.
Now, his fierce defence of Ghana’s sovereignty is being seen by analysts as further evidence of a shifting tone among leaders from the Global South — one that is assertive, unapologetic, and unwilling to play by Cold War-era rules.
Across Africa and among Pan-African commentators, Ablakwa’s stand has struck a chord. Social media platforms have lit up with messages of support, many invoking the spirit of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose foreign policy legacy emphasized African self-determination and non-alignment.
International affairs analyst, Dr. Selasi Ofori, said the exchange reflects a changing dynamic in West-South relations.
“This is not just about Ghana and the US,” she explained. “It’s about Africa’s place in the world and whether we’re treated as partners or pawns.”
Meanwhile, Washington has yet to issue a formal diplomatic response to Ablakwa’s remarks. However, insiders suggest the Biden administration may seek to dial down tensions, recognising Ghana’s strategic importance in West Africa.
Minister Ablakwa’s defiant words have already become a rallying cry on Ghanaian social media.
“We will not be dictated to,” he declared — echoing a growing sentiment among African leaders and citizens demanding equality and mutual respect in global diplomacy.
As Ghana charts its own course through the stormy waters of international finance and diplomacy, one thing is certain: A new voice is emerging — and it is no longer silent.
