Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that the United States government has assured Ghana that, without prejudice to ongoing judicial processes, it will not interfere with the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.
The assurance came during a high-level bilateral meeting between Ghanaian and U.S. officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where both sides reviewed progress made in 2025 and outlined priority areas for cooperation in 2026.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Ablakwa said, “Our engagement confirmed recent payments to U.S. companies and the enhanced business climate, which is ideal for stronger Ghana–U.S. trade. Importantly, the United States Government has assured, that without prejudice to judicial processes, it will not stand in the way of Ghana as regards the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.”
The meeting, hosted by Mr. Ablakwa, included Acting U.S. Ambassador Rolf Olson leading the U.S. delegation. Other highlights of the engagement included:
- Exemption of Ghana from U.S. visa sanctions and $15,000 visa bonds imposed on other countries.
- Removal of the 15% tariff on Ghanaian unprocessed and semi-processed agricultural products, fully implemented.
- Extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by three years, pending Senate approval, which is expected to boost local garment production and create jobs.
- Special measures to expedite visa applications for World Cup participants and fans.
- Enhanced security and law enforcement cooperation, including the extradition of nine suspects from Ghana to the U.S. in 2025.
- Plans for a new major health cooperation initiative and negotiations for a bespoke Ghana-U.S. trade agreement in 2026.
Mr. Ablakwa described the meeting as a demonstration of the “incredible positive velocity” of Ghana-U.S. relations, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to Ghana’s sovereign decisions on key domestic matters.
