US Senator Criticizes Ghana Debt Priorities Amid China Engagement

US Senator James E. Risch has criticized Ghana's debt servicing strategy, urging the country to prioritize repayments to US companies and taxpayers over larger debts owed to China. This criticism followed Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa's diplomatic visit to Washington, where he engaged with senior US officials on trade, immigration, and concerns over visa overstays by Ghanaian students in the US. Ablakwa rejected Risch's remarks as hypocritical, emphasizing Ghana's sovereignty and the country's commitment to debt repayment according to its own economic recovery plan under the Mahama administration. Meanwhile, Ghana's Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson held constructive talks in Beijing to address debt restructuring with Chinese creditors. The US has warned Ghana of potential visa sanctions due to a 21% student visa overstay rate, exceeding the 15% threshold, a challenge Ablakwa acknowledged while expressing optimism about resolving the issue diplomatically. Despite tensions over debt priorities and visa concerns, US officials reaffirmed support for Ghana's economic and bilateral partnership under the current administration.