Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has held a farewell meeting with the outgoing United States Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to Ghana, Rolf Olson, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The minister described the departing diplomat as a strong ally of Ghana, praising his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations during his tenure.
Mr Ablakwa highlighted several milestones achieved through their collaboration, including successful diplomatic engagements in Washington that secured Ghana’s removal from restrictions under President Donald Trump’s visa policy.
He also cited the reinstatement of five-year multiple-entry visas for Ghanaians, describing the development as a significant diplomatic breakthrough.
Other achievements included securing special concessions for Ghana under Washington’s revised tariff framework, protecting the country’s textile sector through an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and facilitating the deployment of Ghanaian military personnel to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa to support emergency response and rebuilding operations.
During the engagement, Mr Olson provided an update on investigations into the death of Javits Frimpong. Both countries, according to the minister, remain committed to ensuring that justice is served.
Minister Ablakwa further expressed appreciation to the US Embassy in Accra, President Donald Trump and New York Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani for facilitating the issuance of travel documents for the deceased’s mother and cousin.
Despite differences between Accra and Washington over certain issues, including Ghana’s rejection of a proposed US health agreement and its advocacy for reparatory justice, the minister reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to maintaining longstanding relations with America.
He stressed that the historical ties between the two countries remain important, adding that the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Ghanaian diplomatic missions would continue working to protect the interests, dignity and well-being of citizens living overseas.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong