The Minority in Parliament is calling for the immediate dismissal of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accusing him of presiding over what it describes as a series of diplomatic missteps that have weakened Ghana’s international standing.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Minority spokesperson Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh said Ghana’s foreign relations have deteriorated under the current leadership of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, citing the recent United States visa policy affecting Ghanaian nationals as a key example.
“Ghana has always been a model of stability and reliability abroad,” he said. “Under this Minister, that reputation is collapsing. We are now listed as a ‘migration risk’ by the United States and are experiencing diplomatic setbacks with Israel and Europe — all of which were preventable.”
In January 2026, the U.S. State Department announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Ghana, effective January 21, 2026.
According to the department, the decision is linked to concerns about public-benefit dependence and the need to review applicant screening procedures.
The development has unsettled Ghanaian lawmakers, who view the country’s inclusion on the list as a troubling signal of strained relations between Accra and Washington.
Earlier, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and MP for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, described Ghana’s appearance on the list as evidence of a weakening diplomatic posture with the United States.
However, Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S., Victor Smith, has clarified that the suspension applies only to immigrant visas for permanent residency and does not affect B1/B2 business and tourist visa applications.
Expanding on the Minority’s position, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh argued that effective diplomacy requires tact and restraint rather than public confrontation.
“A competent Foreign Minister engages quietly, anticipates challenges, and preserves alliances. Mr Ablakwa has chosen confrontation over negotiation and public theatrics over professional discretion. The cost has been borne by our people and our economy,” he stated.
He further invoked the legacy of respected Ghanaian diplomats to underscore what he described as current shortcomings.
“Ghanaians like Kofi Annan, Muhammad Mumuni, and Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey understood that influence is earned through reliability, not volume or social media applause. Our nation deserves no less today.”
The Minority concluded its address with a direct appeal to President John Dramani Mahama.
“President Mahama must act decisively. This Minister has demonstrated that he lacks the temperament and competence for the office. Ghana’s reputation and the welfare of our citizens demand immediate change.”
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