Ablakwa touts visa ban reversal, five-year US visas as key gains from US relations

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has highlighted several diplomatic achievements between Ghana and the United States following the end of the duty tour of the US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Rolf Olson.

Ablakwa hosted the acting US Ambassador at a farewell meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, November 9, 2026, where he commended him for his contributions to strengthening relations between the two countries.

In a post on his X page on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, the minister said Olson had been an “incredible friend to Ghana” during his time in the country.

He cited Ghana’s successful negotiations with US authorities in Washington to secure a reversal of visa restrictions imposed under President Donald Trump as one of the major achievements during Olson’s tenure.

According to Ablakwa, the negotiations also resulted in the restoration of five-year multiple-entry visas for Ghanaians.

“Ghana is among very few countries to achieve these reversals,” he stated.

The minister further disclosed that Ghana secured a special dispensation under President Trump’s new tariff regime, while the country’s textile industry benefited from the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

He also highlighted cooperation between the two countries following Hurricane Melissa, which enabled Ghana to airlift its troops to Jamaica to assist with rescue and reconstruction efforts.

On the investigation into the death of Javits Frimpong, Ablakwa said Olson briefed him on progress made in the investigations.

He stressed that both countries were committed to ensuring justice for the deceased.

“Both nations strongly agree that everything must be done to secure justice for Javits,” he said.

Ablakwa also commended the US Embassy in Accra, President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani for their assistance in securing visas for Javits’ mother and cousin.

Despite the diplomatic achievements, the minister acknowledged that Ghana and the US had disagreements on certain issues, including Ghana’s recent rejection of the US health pact and its position on reparatory justice.

However, he maintained that such differences would not undermine the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

“Ghana and the US do not always agree on all matters,” he noted, adding that the government deeply valued their “ancestral friendship and solidarity”.

Ablakwa reaffirmed the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s commitment to protecting the welfare and dignity of Ghanaians living abroad, saying the ministry and Ghana’s diplomatic missions worldwide would continue to prioritise their interests.

See the post below:

I hosted acting US Ambassador (Chargé d'Affaires ad interim) to Ghana, Mr. Rolf Olson to a farewell meeting at the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

Rolf has been an incredible friend of Ghana during his duty tour.

I am delighted to point out that we achieved a lot together.

Notable accomplishments include the successful negotiations with US authorities in Washington to take Ghana out of President Donald Trump’s visa bans.

We also got the 5-year multiple visas restored. Ghana is among very few countries to achieve these reversals.

Ghana also secured a special dispensation under President Trump’s new tariff regime. Our textile industry was protected with the AGOA extension.

We collaborated beautifully in the aftermath of Hurricane Melisa to airlift Ghana’s gallant troops to Jamaica to assist with rescue and reconstruction efforts.

Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Rolf Olson briefed us on progress made in the Javits Frimpong investigations.

Both nations strongly agree that everything must be done to secure justice for Javits.

I used the opportunity to commend the US Embassy in Accra, President Trump and Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani for their swift assistance in issuing visas for the mother of Javits and his cousin.

Ghana and the US do not always agree on all matters such as our recent disapproval of the US health pact and our principled position on reparatory justice, however, we deeply value our ancestral friendship and solidarity.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our diplomatic missions across the world will continue to prioritize the welfare and dignity of all Ghanaians abroad.

For God and Country 🇬🇭 🙏🏾

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) November 10, 2026