What has colonial imperialism and reparations has to do with paying debts – Franklin Cudjoe pokes Ablakwa

 

President of Imani Africa Franklin Cudjoe has criticized Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa over his response to  United States of America Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senate Jmaes E Risch’s comment on Ghana’s failure to commit to paying debts owed American companies.

He said Ablakwa’s references to colonial imperialism and reparations for the transatlantic slave trade has nothing to do with paying debts in recent international trade transactions.

According to Franklin Cudjoe, he doesn’t understand why the sector Minister made such a comparison.

“I do not understand our foreign minister’s response to a harmless suggestion by a US Senator that he pays attention to committing Ghana to paying debts owed American companies.” He wrote.

“What has the minister’s references to colonial imperialism and reparations for the transatlantic slave trade got to do with paying debts in recent international trade transactions? After all the foreign minister was in DC holding talks with State Department folks on trade and Ghana’s relationship with the US?.” Franklin Cudjoe added.

He explained that the only response the Minister should have given was that the said debt did not occur under the current administration.

“A simple answer from the foreign minister along the following lines would have sufficed..” Dear Senator Risch, while l disagree with your call on me to prioritise Ghana’s debt obligation to America, because according to you, ‘America subsidises” us, may l remind you that the debts you alluded to were contracted under the previous government. Most of these debts have to be verified as they may have had their sums inflated or contain dodgy legal clauses.”. And by the way, America has withdrawn its USAID support for Ghana. The close to $160m Ghana receives annually from the US will come no more, so really, you will not be subsidising Ghana..” Imani Africa president stated.

What Ablakwa said:

“This is very rich coming from someone who refuses to engage in same advocacy for the payment of reparations by the US for its despicable and condemnable role in slavery. Let me be clear, those measly debts compared to what you owe us in reparations would be paid when we deem appropriate based on our prudent economic recovery program — even though the debt was not created by the new Mahama Administration. Unlike you, we take responsibility and honour our national obligations.” The Minister responded.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net