By Issah Olegor
Ghana’s deepening financial ties with China have drawn sharp criticism from Washington, with a senior U.S. senator accusing the West African country of prioritizing Chinese debts at the expense of American obligations—a development that could further strain Ghana’s delicate diplomatic balancing act between two global superpowers.
Senator James E. Risch, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, publicly rebuked Ghana’s government in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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,” he wrote. “We cannot keep subsidizing Ghana while it continues paying far larger debts to China.”
The comments came shortly after Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, concluded a diplomatic visit to Washington D.C. for bilateral talks with U.S. officials on trade, immigration, and security.
The criticism also coincided with Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s return from high-stakes negotiations in Beijing—talks he described as “constructive and forward-looking” with Chinese financial authorities, including China Exim Bank and major contractors.
According to Dr. Forson, the discussions marked a crucial turning point in Ghana’s ongoing debt restructuring efforts.
“These discussions represent a monumental step forward in our efforts to bring finality to the debt restructuring process we inherited,” he said. “We are steadily closing this difficult chapter in our economic history. Ghana will rise stronger.”
However, the optics of simultaneous engagements in China and the U.S. have sparked questions in Washington about Ghana’s debt servicing priorities.
The U.S. has long expressed unease over Beijing’s growing economic footprint in Africa, often warning of “debt-trap diplomacy”—a term used to describe China’s lending strategy in developing countries.
The senator’s remarks reflect broader concerns within the U.S. government that Ghana is shifting economic allegiance while sidelining Western creditors and private sector commitments.
Adding to the diplomatic complexity is a warning from the U.S. over Ghana’s immigration record, particularly regarding student visa overstays.
Foreign Minister Ablakwa confirmed that U.S. officials cited a 21% overstay rate among Ghanaian students—significantly higher than the 15% benchmark that could trigger sanctions, including potential visa restrictions.
“The challenge we face really relates to overstays, particularly with students,” Ablakwa acknowledged, noting that Washington has formally communicated its dissatisfaction.
Ghana has pledged to review its visa monitoring mechanisms and tighten oversight to avoid punitive measures.
Despite these tensions, the U.S. Embassy in Accra reiterated its commitment to strong bilateral ties. At a reception celebrating America’s 249th Independence Day, Deputy Head of Mission Rolf Olson emphasized the shared economic and security interests between the two countries.
“Whatever forms they may take, our mutual interests and partnerships in trade, security, health, and more will continue going forward,” Olson said. “Together, we can create increased prosperity for both our nations.”
Ghana’s rising public debt—hovering around 80% of GDP—has forced the government into tough negotiations with multiple creditors under the G20 Common Framework.
China, as Ghana’s largest bilateral lender, holds significant sway in these talks. However, Western creditors, including the U.S., have grown wary of perceived preferential treatment in debt settlements.
