By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says Ghana and the United States have agreed on key priority areas to strengthen their bilateral relations in 2026, following a high-level meeting held in Accra.
The meeting, which he hosted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also reviewed the significant progress made in 2025. The United States delegation was led by the Acting US Ambassador to Ghana, Rolf Olson.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, both sides welcomed successful negotiations that have exempted Ghana from visa sanctions introduced under US President Donald Trump. Ghana will also continue to be exempted from the $15,000 visa bond imposed on some other countries.
The Minister said the meeting acknowledged the removal of a 15 percent US tariff on a wide range of unprocessed and semi-processed agricultural products from Ghana, and expressed satisfaction with how the policy is being implemented.
He also announced positive news on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), after the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to extend the programme for three more years. AGOA allows eligible African countries to export selected products to the US market duty-free. The extension, once approved by the US Senate, is expected to boost local garment production and create more jobs.
On World Cup preparations, Mr. Ablakwa said the US assured Ghana that special measures have been put in place to speed up visa processing. These measures are expected to address delays in securing visa appointments. The US Embassy is expected to hold a press conference soon to explain the new World Cup visa initiatives.
The two countries also applauded improved cooperation in security and law enforcement, which led to the extradition of nine suspects from Ghana to the United States in 2025. Efforts are also ongoing to extradite two Ghanaians of high interest from the US to Ghana.
The United States further assured Ghana that, without interfering in judicial processes, it will not stand in the way of Ghana regarding the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu.
The meeting also confirmed recent payments to US companies and noted improvements in Ghana’s business climate, which both sides said would support stronger trade relations.
Mr. Ablakwa added that a major new health cooperation programme will soon be launched, and that Ghana plans to negotiate a tailor-made trade agreement with the United States in 2026 for the mutual benefit of both countries.
