The Minority Caucus in Parliament has warned that the ongoing suspension of certain U.S. visa processes could have serious implications for Ghana’s economy, particularly in relation to remittances sent home by Ghanaians living abroad.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, said the development threatens household incomes as well as national revenue streams.
“The United States accounts for the single largest share of remittances to Ghana,” he stated. “Between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion annually comes from hardworking Ghanaians abroad. A freeze like this is not symbolic; it directly chokes an economic lifeline.”
He explained that the impact extends beyond diplomatic or policy concerns and cuts into the daily lives of families across the country.
“These are ordinary families who depend on these transfers to pay school fees, medical bills, and start small businesses. For them, this is more than a visa issue; it is a question of survival,” he said.
Mr. Ayeh criticised what he described as the handling of the matter by Ghana’s diplomatic leadership, arguing that the situation could have been managed more tactfully.
“Instead of quietly resolving technical issues with the U.S. Embassy, we witnessed public posturing, tit-for-tat gestures, and inflammatory statements. This is amateur diplomacy at the expense of ordinary citizens,” he added.
According to the Minority, urgent diplomatic engagement with Washington is now required to prevent further economic fallout.
“President Mahama must deploy a special envoy and establish a task force to ensure these remittances and the welfare of our citizens are safeguarded. Delay is no longer an option,” he stressed.
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