New US Ambassador visits parliament

The new United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie S. Sullivan on Monday, 4 February 2019 paid a courtesy call on the leadership of Parliament and the Speaker, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye.

Speaking at the meeting, Prof Oquaye called on both governments to go back to the negotiating table in the interest of peace to enhance trade between Ghana and the US so far as the US visa sanction on Ghana is concerned.

The American government has imposed visa sanctions on Ghana for the West African country’s failure to live up to its obligations under international law to accept the return of its nationals removed from the United States.

But Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has described the US action as uncalled for, since, according to authorities, Ghana is complying with all arrangements towards receiving Ghanaians illegally living in the U.S.

But in response, Ms Sullivan defended the sanctions saying what was imposed was the lesser of options available at the disposal of the US.

She expressed confidence that Ghana’s mission in Washington DC will do everything possible within the shortest possible time for the sanction to be lifted so that Ghana and the US will continue to deepen their bilateral relations.