The Ambassador of the United States of America to Ghana, H.E. Virginia E. Palmer, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (MP), at the Ministry’s headquarters in Accra. The objective of the meeting was to discuss several key areas of mutual concern and collaboration between the two nations.

During the meeting, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United States, emphasizing the importance of addressing shared challenges and opportunities.

He took the opportunity to seek clarity on several pressing matters, particularly the U.S. government’s suspension of USAID aid to Ghana, the potential withdrawal of the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), and the status of Ghanaian nationals in the U.S. facing deportation.

Ambassador Palmer, in her response, clarified that the suspension of USAID funding was temporary, lasting 90 days to allow for a review of the agency’s operations. She also expressed hope that aid would resume once the review was completed, though with potentially reduced funding.

On the issue of Ghanaian nationals facing deportation from the United States, Ambassador Palmer noted that approximately 156 undocumented Ghanaians might be affected by U.S. deportation policies, although she assured the Minister that none of those individuals were hardened criminals.

Hon. Ablakwa also noted that if the U.S. withdrew from the WHO, it could significantly impact the delivery of vital services to vulnerable populations in Ghana in the implementation of some public health programs, like the fight against diseases like HIV/AIDS and Malaria.

The meeting ended with both parties expressing a commitment to continued collaboration on key issues affecting both nations.