Ghana’s newly accredited Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has pledged to prioritise trade, investment, and diaspora engagement as he assumes office in Washington.

Speaking after receiving his credentials from President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House in Accra, Ambassador Smith expressed gratitude for the appointment and vowed to strengthen Ghana–U.S. relations for mutual benefit.

The ceremony also saw seven other envoys presented with their instruments of office to represent Ghana in missions abroad.

But even as he begins his tenure, Ambassador Smith faces major diplomatic challenges in Ghana’s relations with Washington.

The US recently reduced visa validity for most Ghanaian applicants to single-entry, three-month permits, a significant downgrade from the previous five-year multiple-entry visas. The move has raised concerns about its impact on business, education, and cultural exchanges.

Also, the country’s access to U.S. markets under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is at risk. With the law set to expire in September 2025 and U.S. authorities already imposing a blanket 10% tariff on imports from Ghana, fears are growing that Ghanaian exporters could lose their preferential access. Ongoing negotiations aim to secure AGOA’s renewal and ensure fairer trade terms.

Ambassador Smith, a seasoned diplomat and investment consultant with more than three decades of experience, is expected to address these issues while leveraging his background to attract investment into energy, mining, agribusiness, and infrastructure.

His career in public service includes stints as Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, Eastern Regional Minister, and presidential advisor across three administrations.