Cudjoe described the minister’s references to colonial imperialism and slavery reparations as disconnected from contemporary trade issues.

The criticism follows Senator Risch’s July 5 social media post urging Ablakwa to prioritize repaying debts to U.S. companies over his Washington visit. Risch claimed American taxpayers “cannot keep subsidizing Ghana” while it services larger Chinese debts. Ablakwa responded by invoking Ghana’s sovereignty and Kwame Nkrumah’s anti-colonial legacy, calling the senator’s remarks “extremely offensive.”

Cudjoe argued in a social media post that Ablakwa should have focused on substantive debt verification concerns instead: “A simple answer… would have sufficed,” suggesting the minister clarify that disputed debts originated under the previous administration and require auditing for inflated sums or questionable clauses. Cudjoe also noted the recent cessation of $160 million in annual USAID support to Ghana.

The Mahama administration acknowledges the debts but maintains they were incurred by former President Akufo-Addo’s government. Officials emphasize repayment through Ghana’s IMF-backed economic recovery program while disputing Risch’s characterization of U.S. “subsidies.” The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in U.S.-Ghana relations amid debt restructuring negotiations.