U.S Visa Restrictions: Gov't Must Reply In Equal Measure - Ras Mubarak

Member of Parliament for Kumbungu constituency in the Northern Region, Ras Mubarak has asked government to reply in equal measure the sanctions applied on Ghana by the US government following a diplomacy disagreement.

According to him government should also apply the same visa restrictions they have applied on the country, adding that government should not kowtow to the pressure of the US government.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that he sides with the government with their position on the issue.

"We are a sovereign nation, you cannot just expect us to deport 7,000 people who are claiming to be Ghanaians without thoroughly screening and vetting them.

"I am looking forward to seeing the government of Ghana respond in equal measure. We are equal partners in this and if the United States decides to ignore the weight of evidence brought before them by government we should retaliate," he angrily said.

The US government’s statement that announced the restrictions warned that Ghana will face more sanctions if the government’s posture does not change.

“Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population. The sanctions will remain in place until the Secretary of Homeland Security notifies Secretary Pompeo that cooperation on removals has improved to an acceptable level.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has refuted claims by the United States of America government that it is not cooperating on the deportation of Ghanaians from the US, which has led to visa sanctions being placed on some Ghanaian citizens.

In the government’s first official response on the matter, it expressed concern and disappointment with the development and said such allegations were “unfounded.”

The ministry also said, “the sanctions imposed on Ghana are without any justification whatsoever.”

It held that it had “always cooperated with the US authorities in the processing and removal of Ghanaian citizens who have been cited for deportation.”