Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has expressed concern over the treatment of Ghanaian youth by United States law enforcement agencies, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stressing the need for long-term solutions that address the root causes of migration.
Speaking during an economic and agribusiness engagement with the Senator for the State of Pennsylvania, Scott Martin, Ambassador Smith said he does not want Ghanaians subjected to harassment or harsh enforcement measures abroad. He emphasised that his priority is to help create opportunities at home so that young people are not compelled to migrate under precarious conditions. “I don’t want my people to be molested by ICE,” the ambassador said, underscoring the urgency of improving livelihoods in Ghana.
The discussions focused largely on investment and agribusiness opportunities, with Ambassador Smith highlighting Ghana’s strategic location and the vast, multi-billion-dollar African market it offers to investors. He pointed to agriculture as a critical area for partnership, noting that Ghana’s heavy reliance on food imports continues to place severe pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Rice imports alone, he said, account for one of the largest outflows, making domestic production an urgent national priority.
Senator Scott Martin outlined Pennsylvania’s agricultural strategy and identified key areas for agribusiness collaboration. He expressed interest in partnering with the Government of Ghana in ventures that would deliver mutual economic benefits, particularly in modern farming, agro-processing, and value-chain development.
Speaking on behalf of the US–Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Florence Torson-Hart said no US state mirrors Ghana’s agricultural practices and production culture as closely as Pennsylvania. She urged that Ghana be prioritised in efforts to deepen agricultural and commercial cooperation between the two economies.
The President of Millersville University, Professor Daniel Wubah, a Ghanaian, also highlighted the strong potential for collaboration, citing shared interests and institutional linkages that could make partnerships between Ghana and the Philadelphia area more seamless.
The meeting placed strong emphasis on transforming Ghana’s agricultural sector as a sustainable response to rising import costs and youth unemployment. By modernising farming, expanding agro-processing, and strengthening value chains, Ghana aims to boost food security while positioning agriculture as a major driver of economic growth.
The engagement forms part of Ghana’s broader economic diplomacy agenda, reinforcing its commitment to investment-led growth, job creation, and sustainable national development through strategic international partnerships.
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