Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has rebuked U.S. Senator, Jim Risch over what he describes as offensive and condescending remarks made by the Senator about Ghana’s debt obligations and foreign policy priorities.
In a post reacting to the recent social media post by Jim Risch, Mr. Ablakwa dismissed the criticism and mounted a spirited defence to Ghana’s right to independently manage its economic recovery and international partnerships.
“This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to advocate for reparations from the United States for its despicable role in the transatlantic slave trade. You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country how it conducts its foreign policy”, Mr. Ablakwa wrote.
Senator Risch had suggested that Ghana’s Foreign Minister should focus less on diplomatic engagements in Washington and pay more attention to repaying U.S. companies and taxpayers. He insisted that Ghana is prioritising debt payments to China.
But this comment, the Foreign Minister finds disparaging.
In his push back reply, he pointed to Ghana’s historical role in the global fight against imperialism and the country’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
“If you need to be reminded — this is Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana — the first African nation to defeat colonialism and imperialism. 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.”
Samuel Ablakwa further clarified that the obligations referenced by the Senator were not incurred by the current administration but the John Dramani Mahama led government remains committed to meeting all legitimate financial commitments.
“Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations,” he stressed.
What can be described as a banter, comes at a time when Ghana is working to consolidate its debt restructuring efforts while balancing geopolitical relationships with the U.S., China and other partners.
However, the government has maintained that it will not compromise its sovereignty in pursuit of economic diplomacy.
