Ghana, US strengthen ties with focus on Trade, visa facilitation, and security cooperation

Ghana and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, agreeing on key areas of cooperation for 2026 during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting, hosted by Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was attended by Acting US Ambassador Rolf Olson and senior officials from both countries.

It reviewed progress made in 2025 and set out priority initiatives for the coming year.

Among the major outcomes, Ghana was confirmed to continue being exempted from President Trump’s visa sanctions and the $15,000 visa bonds imposed on other countries. The meeting also highlighted the removal of the 15% tariff on a wide range of unprocessed and semi-processed Ghanaian agricultural products, a move that has already been successfully implemented.

On trade, the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (340 to 54) to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by three years. The legislation, which provides duty-free access to the US market for eligible Sub-Saharan products, is expected to receive final approval from the Senate. Officials said this extension is expected to boost Ghanaian garment production and create more jobs.

Addressing travel and sports diplomacy, the US assured that special measures would be implemented to expedite visa applications in light of the 2026 World Cup, aiming to resolve current delays in securing appointments. A press conference on the new World Cup Visa Application Initiatives is expected soon.

Security cooperation was also praised, with both countries acknowledging the extradition of nine suspects from Ghana to the US in 2025, and the ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of two high-interest Ghanaians from the US.

Additionally, the US confirmed that, without interfering with judicial processes, it would not obstruct Ghana’s plans regarding the removal of Ken Ofori-Atta and Sedina Tamakloe Attionu. The engagement also highlighted recent payments to US companies and an improved business environment, setting the stage for a bespoke Ghana-US trade agreement to be negotiated in 2026.

Finally, officials announced that a major health cooperation initiative would soon be launched to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ablakwa described the discussions as reflecting “the incredible positive velocity” of Ghana-US relations, emphasising a mutual commitment to deeper trade, security, and social cooperation in the year ahead.