Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Emmanuel Smith, has urged the government to prioritise youth employment as a national security measure to protect citizens from the "harsh treatment" often faced in the American immigration system.

Speaking during a high-level economic and agribusiness summit with Senator Scott Martin of Pennsylvania on Friday, January 16, 2026, the ambassador warned that the lack of domestic opportunities is driving a migration crisis that leaves many young Ghanaians vulnerable to U.S. law enforcement agencies, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ambassador Smith argued that the best way to safeguard the dignity of the Ghanaian youth is to ensure they never feel the need to leave.

He emphasised that providing meaningful employment at home is the most effective deterrent against the perils of illegal migration and the subsequent legal battles in foreign jurisdictions.

“The youth must be given meaningful employment opportunities in Ghana to discourage them from migrating abroad in search of greener pastures,” Ambassador Smith stated, noting that many who travel out of desperation eventually face the cold reality of detention and deportation.

A central theme of the engagement was the urgent need for Ghana to achieve food sovereignty. The Ambassador lamented the nation’s heavy reliance on food imports, which he described as a primary drain on foreign exchange reserves. He singled out the importation of rice as a critical "outflow" that needs immediate reversal through domestic industrialisation.

Pennsylvania, known for its robust agricultural economy, was identified as the ideal partner for this transition. Senator Scott Martin outlined his state’s current agricultural strategy, noting that Pennsylvania is ready to offer technical expertise in agribusiness to foster a "mutually beneficial" partnership.

Florence Torson-Hart, representing the US-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, reinforced this connection, noting a unique cultural and production synergy between the two regions.

“No other U.S. state mirrors Ghana’s agricultural practices and production culture as closely as Pennsylvania,” she observed, adding that Ghana should be a “priority partner” in areas of job creation and sustainable development.

The summit also featured Dr. Daniel Wubah, the Ghanaian-born President of Millersville University.

Dr. Wubah highlighted Philadelphia and the wider Pennsylvania area as fertile ground for institutional collaboration, citing shared interests in research and agrotech that could modernise Ghana's farming landscape.

The goal, as outlined in the meeting, is to move beyond subsistence farming into a high-value agricultural chain that includes:

• Modernised Farming: Utilising Pennsylvania’s precision agriculture techniques.
• Agro-Processing: Building factories in Ghana to add value to raw produce.
• Strengthened Value Chains: Reducing post-harvest losses to ensure food self-sufficiency.

This engagement marks a significant shift in Ghana’s "Economic Diplomacy" strategy—moving from seeking aid to seeking investment-led growth.

By positioning Ghana as a gateway to the billion-dollar African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ambassador Smith is pitching the nation as a strategic hub for American businesses looking to enter the African market.