You speak anyhow – ‘You speak carelessly as a diplomat’ – Okatakyie Afrifa blasts Ablakwa

Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah has issued a warning to President John Dramani Mahama regarding the conduct of his Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. He believes Ablakwa’s actions could end up harming the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

Afrifa-Mensah raised concerns about how Ablakwa is presenting himself internationally, suggesting that his posture could have serious consequences for Ghana. For that reason, he advised President Mahama to consider removing him from his position.

His comments come after the United States government recently updated its visa reciprocity policy for Ghana. The new changes have resulted in shorter visa durations and limited entry options for most non-immigrant visa categories.

According to the new policy from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ghanaians applying for business and tourism visas (B-class) will now receive only single-entry visas that are valid for three months.

This is a major shift from the previous system, which allowed for multiple entries over periods ranging from one to five years.

Speaking on his “For the Records” show on July 9, 2025, Okatakyie strongly criticized Ablakwa for his recent clash with Senator James E. Risch, a senior member of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The senator had called Ablakwa out on social media.

Afrifa-Mensah blamed Ablakwa’s conduct, which he described as undiplomatic, for playing a role in the US decision to tighten its visa rules. He expressed worry that Ghanaian students could be the ones to suffer the most from this change.

“Now Americans are saying all non-immigrant visas will be limited to just three months with single entry because of Okudzeto Ablakwa,” Afrifa-Mensah said.

“Today, he is acting as Foreign Affairs Minister on social media, attacking American senators. But someone of his diplomatic standing shouldn’t speak carelessly. Even if you are a Foreign Affairs Minister, you are not on the same level as senators of other nations.

“He is on social media responding to everyone and making calls at the embassy, is that his work?”

He added that if Ablakwa’s conduct is not brought under control, it could end up damaging the Mahama administration.

“One of the people who will destroy Mahama’s government is Okudzeto Ablakwa,” he cautioned.