Ghana Secures US Visa Reversal, Okudzeto Ablakwa Clarifies Terms
Photograph of Ghana’s Foreign Minister — Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Accra — The Government of Ghana has assured citizens that the country’s security and sovereignty remain secure, following a historic reversal of US visa restrictions once imposed under the Trump Administration. Ghana is the only nation to have successfully achieved such a reversal.
In a statement, Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa MP, called on the public to dismiss “conspiracy theorists and scaremongers,” while outlining key assurances about the agreement with Washington.
They stressed that Ghana will not become a dumping ground for US deportees, nor will the country accept criminals from the United States. Instead, only a small number of carefully screened West African nationals without criminal backgrounds may be admitted, consistent with existing ECOWAS protocols that already allow visa-free entry.
The government also noted that the deal with the US will not compromise Ghana’s security or stability. Rather, it forms part of broader negotiations that include discussions on tariffs, new trade opportunities, investment interests of US companies, and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is vital to Ghana’s garment industry.
Officials described the agreement as “mutually beneficial,” reflecting both Ghana’s Pan-African commitments and its determination to safeguard national interests.
“The Mahama Administration deeply cares for you — we shall keep working tirelessly to protect our strategic national interest, and we shall ensure our best efforts benefit all Ghanaians. For God and Country,” the statement concluded.
About Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is a four-term Ghanaian legislator representing the good people of North Tongu in the Volta Region.
Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa has had an illustrious public service career spanning some two decades. He has a reputation for being a strong advocate for ethical, transparent and transformational leadership. For nearly eight years, between 2017 and 2024, he served as Ranking Member of the select committee on Foreign Affairs. He rose to become the first Chairman of the reformed Assurances Committee. Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is currently the Chairman of President John Mahama’s flagship anti-corruption drive, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).
In 2009, he was appointed Deputy Minister for Information by President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory. By that appointment, he made history as the youngest Deputy Minister of Ghana’s Fourth Republic. His Excellency John Dramani Mahama also appointed him a Deputy Minister for Education in charge of Tertiary Education in 2013.
His academic credentials include reading Political Science, Philosophy and Economics for his first degree at the University of Ghana, an LLB from the University of London, an MSc in Defence and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, an MA in Communications and PR from the University of Leicester and an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School of Governance.
Before he was called into national politics, he was the MD of Savvi Solutions and before then a University of Ghana Branch Manager of Carrera Computers.
Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa is the recipient of numerous awards including an honorary doctorate degree from the AMET University in India, being adjudged the Most Impactful MP in 2024, medal of honour from the Ghana Medical Association, special award from the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, citation from the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation and making it to the list of the 2025 Most Influential 100 Africans.
He is a prolific author, former President of NUGS, member of the Parliamentarians for Global Action, accredited member of the Institute for Public Relations (APR), member of the African Leadership Network, Fellow, African Youth Governance Convergence, member of the American Council for Young Political Leaders and Chairman of the Ghana-Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Association.
He is married to Lawyer Nuhela Seidu, a Senior partner at Sory@Law. They are blessed with two children.
Edited by V. L. K. Djokoto