Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has formally begun his diplomatic assignment in Washington after presenting his credentials to U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the Oval Office of the White House.
Ambassador Smith was among 15 newly appointed ambassadors accredited to the United States and was notably the first envoy received by President Trump during the credential ceremony, underscoring the importance of Ghana’s diplomatic engagement with Washington.
A Cordial Reception
According to officials present at the meeting, President Trump welcomed the Ghanaian envoy warmly, remarking, “Look at this good-looking guy,” a comment that drew light-hearted laughter and set a cordial tone for the interaction.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
During the engagement, Ambassador Smith delivered a message from President John Dramani Mahama, reaffirming Ghana’s strong commitment to deepening its long-standing bilateral relations with the United States.
He highlighted Ghana’s interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, and economic diplomacy, describing the country as a stable democracy and a strategic gateway to both regional and continental markets.
“Ghana serves as an entry point to a sub-regional market of over 400 million people and a continental market of more than 1.4 billion people, making it an attractive destination for American businesses seeking to expand into Africa,” Ambassador Smith said.
Regional Leadership and AfCFTA
The envoy also drew attention to Ghana’s role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, reinforcing its position as a hub for intra-African trade and investment.
Ambassador Smith expressed Ghana’s readiness to deepen engagement with U.S. companies, particularly in key sectors such as:
- Manufacturing
- Agribusiness
- Energy
- Technology
- Services
The Ambassador further extended an invitation to President Trump to visit Ghana, noting that such a visit would help consolidate diplomatic ties and unlock new opportunities for cooperation.
The presentation of credentials marks a significant milestone in Ambassador Smith’s tenure and signals a renewed phase of engagement aimed at strengthening U.S.–Ghana relations across political, economic, and people-to-people spheres.
Source: Citi News Room
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