Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh is Deputy Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has warned that the United States’ decision to place an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for Ghanaians could have serious consequences for the national economy, particularly through the loss of remittance inflows.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said the development threatens a critical financial lifeline for millions of Ghanaian households.
According to him, the United States remains Ghana’s single largest source of remittances, contributing billions of dollars annually to the economy.
“Between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion comes into Ghana each year from hardworking Ghanaians living in the United States. This visa freeze is not symbolic. It has the potential to choke a major economic lifeline,” he said.
Nana Asafo-Adjei stressed that the impact would be felt most acutely by ordinary families who rely on remittances to meet basic needs.
“These are families who depend on these transfers to pay school fees, cover medical bills, and invest in small businesses. For them, this is not just a visa issue—it is a question of survival,” he added.
The Minority also criticised the foreign minister’s handling of the situation, arguing that public exchanges have worsened rather than resolved the matter.
“Instead of quietly resolving technical and diplomatic issues with the US Embassy, we have seen public posturing, tit-for-tat gestures, and inflammatory statements. This is amateur diplomacy, and ordinary citizens are paying the price,” he stated.
The Minority Caucus also called for urgent government intervention, urging President John Dramani Mahama to take direct action to protect Ghana’s economic interests and citizens abroad.
“The President must immediately deploy a special envoy and establish a high-level task force to engage the United States and safeguard remittances and the welfare of Ghanaians. Delay is no longer an option,” Nana Asafo-Adjei warned.
