‘You can’t dictate to us’ – Ablakwa rips into US Senator in rare diplomatic showdown
In a sharply worded response, Mr Ablakwa described Senator Risch’s remarks as “extremely offensive” and accused him of hypocrisy, citing the United States’ own unresolved historical responsibilities
Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has strongly rejected comments made by US Senator James E. Risch, who criticised Ghana for prioritising debt repayments to China while allegedly neglecting financial commitments to American firms and taxpayers.
In a sharply worded response, Mr Ablakwa described Senator Risch’s remarks as “extremely offensive” and accused him of hypocrisy, citing the United States’ own unresolved historical responsibilities.
“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,” Mr Ablakwa said on Facebook.
Senator Risch, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had earlier warned that the US could not continue “subsidising Ghana” while it “pays far larger debts to China,” following high-level talks in Washington involving Ghanaian and US officials.
But Ablakwa was defiant, invoking the country’s legacy of independence and non-alignment.
“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,” he stated.
Mr Ablakwa also defended Ghana’s approach to debt repayment, suggesting that the new Mahama administration inherited the current fiscal challenges but remains committed to fulfilling its obligations.
“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… Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations,” he added.
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