Ghana’s Foreign Minister Fires Back at US Senator, Demands Slave Trade Reparations
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has strongly pushed back against critical comments made by a high-ranking US lawmaker, Jim Risch. Risch had criticized Ghana’s government over money it owes American companies and taxpayers. Ablakwa used this opportunity to renew calls for the United States to pay reparations for its part in the transatlantic slave trade.
This diplomatic disagreement started when the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee posted on social media, suggesting that Ghana’s Foreign Minister should stay home and focus on paying outstanding debts instead of traveling to Washington for meetings.
The tweet, which has caused a lot of strong reactions online, claimed that Ghana continues to pay larger debts to China while supposedly not paying its financial duties to American groups. The post read, “Instead of a trip to D.C., Ghana’s foreign minister should focus on honoring his government’s commitments to repay U.S. companies and the American taxpayers. We cannot keep subsidizing Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China.”
Ablakwa’s Bold Response
In a quick and sharply worded reply on Twitter (now X), Mr. Ablakwa called the remarks “very rich.” He meant it was hypocritical coming from a country that has consistently failed to face and make up for its involvement in the slave trade.
“This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in the same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the US for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery,” the Minister wrote.
Reaffirming Ghana’s independence and its history of fighting for freedom, Mr. Ablakwa referenced the country’s founder, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, to emphasize Ghana’s independent approach to foreign policy.
He declared, “You will not be allowed to dictate to a sovereign country on how we conduct our foreign policy — if you need to be reminded — this is Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana — the first African nation to defeat colonialism and imperialism.”
While admitting that Ghana does owe some money to American companies, the Foreign Minister played down the amount and put it in historical context. “Those measly debts, compared to what you owe us in reparations, would be paid when we deem appropriate based on our prudent economic recovery program — even though the debt was not created by the new Mahama administration,” he stated.
A Rare Challenge and Ongoing Economic Efforts
The Minister’s comments represent a rare and open challenge to Washington’s tone in discussions between the two nations. They also rekindle a growing demand across Africa for justice in the form of reparations after centuries of colonialism and slavery.
His comments also come as the Mahama administration is working through a complex economic recovery plan. This plan includes reshaping its debt and making changes aimed at bringing back economic stability.
Mr. Ablakwa concluded by stressing Ghana’s dedication to meeting its financial obligations, even though he stated the current administration wasn’t responsible for the origin of the debt. “Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations,” he affirmed.
