Ablakwa Leads Talks to Keep Ghana Off US Visa Ban List
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed on July 1, 2025, that Ghana is on a US visa ban watchlist due to a 21% student visa overstay rate, exceeding the US threshold of 15%. Speaking after meetings in the US, he assured Ghanaians that the government is working to avoid sanctions.
Ablakwa met US officials, including Secretary for Political Affairs Allison M. Hooker and Ambassador Troy Damian Fitrell, to address the issue. The US flagged Ghana among 36 countries for high visa overstays, not terrorism or extremism. Ghana’s embassies are cooperating, handling 188 deportation cases, with 56 Ghanaians already returned.
The minister stressed Ghana’s good standing on other US criteria and ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue. A June 14 US State Department memo gave Ghana 60 days to reduce overstays or face restrictions. Ablakwa urged students to respect visa terms to protect Ghana’s ties with the US.
The warning follows a Washington Post report on a possible US visa ban expansion under President Trump’s policies. Ablakwa’s team is engaging US authorities to ensure Ghanaian students and travelers are not affected. The government is also raising awareness about immigration compliance to avoid future issues.
As talks continue, Ablakwa remains optimistic, citing productive meetings and Ghana’s history of cooperation. The outcome will impact students and travelers, with the government pushing to maintain strong US-Ghana relations and prevent a ban that could limit opportunities.