US Visa Pause: Minority accuses Ablakwa of damaging Ghana-US relations

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, of engaging in what it describes as reckless diplomacy, following the United States’ decision to place an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for Ghanaians.

Addressing an emergency press conference on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, spoke on behalf of the Minority and blamed the development on the minister’s handling of Ghana–US relations.

According to him, the visa freeze has far-reaching consequences for ordinary Ghanaians, particularly families and professionals who rely on lawful migration channels.

“This visa freeze is not merely a bureaucratic setback. It directly affects families who have waited years to reunite and professionals whose careers depend on lawful migration. Sadly, it is Ghanaian citizens who are now paying the price for reckless diplomacy,” he said.

Nana Asafo-Adjei accused the foreign affairs minister of prioritising public confrontation over quiet diplomatic engagement.

He also argued that such an approach has damaged Ghana’s standing with one of its key international partners.

“The foreign minister has chosen theatre over strategy. Public confrontations and social media rebuttals cannot replace careful, behind-the-scenes engagement with our most important allies. Ghana has been humiliated on the global stage because of this approach,” he stated.

The Minority also warned of serious economic repercussions, particularly the potential impact on remittance inflows from Ghanaians living abroad.

“We are talking about billions of dollars in remittances each year — funds that support families, finance education, and sustain small businesses. This freeze threatens that critical lifeline and the livelihoods of millions of Ghanaians,” he noted.

The Minority Caucus concluded by calling on President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and hold the minister accountable, warning that continued inaction could further erode public confidence and Ghana’s international reputation.

“We cannot allow this pattern of incompetence to continue. Ghanaian families, our national reputation, and economic stability are all at stake,” Nana Asafo-Adjei stressed.