The Minority in Parliament is demanding the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa following Ghana’s inclusion on a U.S. list suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, describing it as a serious diplomatic failure with wide-ranging economic and social consequences.
Deputy Ranking Member for the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, addressing the media blamed the Ministry for what he called “diplomatic illiteracy,” arguing that the suspension undermines Ghana’s long-standing reputation as a responsible global partner.
“This decision means families remain separated indefinitely,” he said, referring to husbands, wives, and relatives who have followed lawful immigration processes for years.
The Bosome-Freho MP also stated that the minister “speaks too quickly as a chief diplomat,” which he said has lowered Ghana’s standing among the comity of nations.
The Minority stressed that the suspension affects professionals, including healthcare workers, engineers, IT specialists, and teachers, who “have complied with all recruitment and visa requirements, paid requisite fees, and passed multiple screening processes, only to now be told that their applications will no longer be processed.”
While government spokespeople have indicated that non-immigrant visas remain unaffected, the Minority dismissed this as insufficient.
“The fundamental question remains: why is Ghana on this list at all?” they asked.
They further warned of economic repercussions, particularly on remittance inflows that support household incomes, education, healthcare, and small businesses.
“When you freeze immigrant visas, you do not merely delay dreams, you choke a vital source of national support,” the statement said.
The Minority called on the Foreign Affairs Minister to urgently engage U.S. authorities and provide a clear explanation to Ghanaians on how the country landed on the suspension list and what steps are being taken to reverse the decision.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
