Senior officials from the United States Department of Commerce have raised concerns over Ghana’s mining regulations, investor-related bottlenecks, and the status of Ghanaian students in the U.S. during a meeting with Ghana’s Ambassador to Washington, Victor Emmanuel Smith.
The engagement, led by officials of the International Trade Administration (ITA), focused largely on Ghana’s recently introduced local content policy in the mining sector, which U.S. officials say is creating operational challenges for American firms operating in the country.
According to the U.S. delegation, heavy-duty mining equipment belonging to U.S.-based Newmont Corporation has been held at Ghana’s port for prolonged periods due to compliance issues linked to the new policy.
The officials warned that the delays are disrupting mining operations, increasing costs, and affecting project timelines at Newmont’s Ghana operations.
Responding to the concerns, Ambassador Smith acknowledged the challenges but said any intervention would require detailed shipment information and adherence to Ghana’s legal processes.
“We will need specific shipment details and proper documentation to take action and ensure that the excavators are cleared. We will go through the appropriate legal processes to make sure the matter is resolved,” he said, underlining the Embassy’s readiness to engage relevant authorities in Ghana to facilitate resolution.
The talks also touched on unresolved matters involving American Tower Corporation (ATC), a U.S.-based telecommunications infrastructure company operating in Ghana.
ITA officials said outstanding claims submitted to Ghanaian authorities, including timesheets and supporting documents, remain unsettled, raising concerns about regulatory delays and their impact on investor confidence in Ghana’s telecoms sector.
Beyond investment issues, the meeting addressed the welfare of Ghanaian students in the United States, particularly in the context of stricter immigration compliance under the current U.S. administration.
The Acting Deputy Secretary at the ITA Rachel Billingslea, highlighted the need for continued engagement on student-related concerns as enforcement measures tighten.
The engagement forms part of ongoing diplomatic and trade-level consultations between Washington and Accra as both sides seek to manage policy frictions, protect commercial interests, and address the implications of evolving regulatory frameworks on businesses and nationals operating across both countries.
