This development was confirmed by Foreign Minister Samuel Okdozet Abrakwa during a press conference held in Accra on Thursday, June 26th.
According to Ablakwa, US authorities have officially notified the Ghanaian government that the percentage of Ghanaian students on continuing US visas reached 21%, exceeding the 15% allowable limit.
“The issue has created quite a bit of anxiety and the report has brought us all as a surprise,” he said. “But I can see that this evening a government led by an honorable foreign minister is involved with US officials. We held a very productive meeting. The US authorities have now made this official attention so it's no longer a leaked report.”
Clarification of sanctions categories
Addressing concerns, Abrakwa revealed that Ghana has not been put together with a country accused of more serious offences, such as terrorism, violent extremism and state-sponsored violence.
“According to US officials, the ban will affect countries that do not comply with around 12 listing concerns, which are safe shelters for terrorism, national sponsors of terrorism, violent extremists, and even high levels of visa exaggeration,” he explained. “US officials have been informing us that Ghanaian concerns are particularly relevant to student visa tenure.”
Overstay statistics and Ghana's response
Data presented by the US reveals that 21% of Ghanaian students were unable to return to Japan when they completed the study.
Despite the circumstances, Abrakwa calmed down and reassured the public that Ghana has a strong history of cooperation with US immigration standards.
“What I have to say is that, with the exception of the workplace, we are on good terms as US authorities have confirmed that all the other troubling issues, including terrorism, do not apply to Ghana. We have officially notified that the 188 Ghanaians on President Trump's deportation list and embassies in New York and Washington are compliant,” he added.
“We believe that Ghana's issues are related to natives, but not so serious, and should be placed in the same category as countries that sponsor terrorism or have extremists.”
Continuing diplomacy involvement
The government is expected to step up its diplomatic efforts with US officials in the coming weeks to prevent visa restrictions that could potentially affect education, travel and wider diplomatic relations.
