Diplomatic Tensions Flare as Ghana’s Foreign Minister Fires Back at U.S. Senator Over Debt Comments

JHNews || July 5, 2025 – A diplomatic back-and-forth has erupted between Ghana and a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, following remarks criticizing Ghana’s debt repayments and ties with China.

The clash began after the Bureau of African Affairs posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Special Bureau Officer (SBO) Fitrell had joined Under Secretary of State for a meeting with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, where they discussed key bilateral issues including trade, immigration, and economic cooperation.

However, in a sharply worded response, the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee criticized the Ghanaian minister's visit to Washington, D.C., suggesting that Ghana should prioritize settling debts owed to U.S. companies and taxpayers, instead of maintaining larger financial commitments to China.

“Instead of a trip to D.C., Ghana’s foreign minister should focus on honoring his government’s commitments to repay U.S. companies and the American taxpayers. We cannot keep subsidizing Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China,” the Senator posted.

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, did not hold back in his response.

“This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in the same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the U.S. for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery,” Ablakwa posted.

“You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country how we conduct our foreign policy — if you need to be reminded — this is Kwame Nkrumah's Ghana — the first African nation to defeat colonialism and imperialism,” he continued.

The Minister further emphasized that Ghana’s debt obligations would be addressed according to the country’s economic recovery plans, and made it clear the current administration is not responsible for the accumulation of those debts.

“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,” Ablakwa added. “Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations.”

The exchange underscores simmering tensions between the U.S. and African nations over geopolitical alignment, historical grievances, and financial independence — all amidst growing global scrutiny of African debt diplomacy and influence from major powers like China.

Observers note that the Ghana-U.S. relationship, though historically strong, may be entering a period of reevaluation amid shifting dynamics on the continent and increasingly assertive African leadership.