Reparations Are No Excuse To Break U.S. Business Contracts- Kofi Tonto To Ablakwa
Kofi Tonto, a senior aide to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a stern caution to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, calling his recent rhetoric on reparations and U.S. business dealings both “populist” and “dangerous.”
In a Facebook post published Friday, Tonto cautioned that Ghana risks damaging its international reputation and investor confidence if it conflates the call for historical reparations with obligations under current commercial contracts.
“Ablakwa’s argument is not only populist; it poses significant risks,” Tonto wrote. “Ghana cannot hide behind reparations to renege on our business commitments and contractual agreements with American companies.”
Tonto emphasized that financial obligations to U.S. companies must be honored, even if Ghana faces economic challenges. “If we owe American companies, we must pay,” he said. “If we cannot afford to pay now, let’s renegotiate and come up with a payment plan. That’s how trust is maintained in business dealings.”
While acknowledging the legitimacy of discussions around reparations, Tonto stressed that the issue should not be used to justify defaulting on binding agreements.
“Reparations, although a genuine concern, cannot be conflated with business dealings with America and American companies that have legitimate business transactions with Ghana,” he argued.
He further warned that American investors might withdraw from the Ghanaian market altogether if they perceive the country as unreliable or politically unpredictable in fulfilling its contractual obligations.
“American companies will not do business with Ghana again knowing that we can hide behind reparations to renege on legitimate business obligations.”
Tonto ended his post with a direct call for political restraint, urging President John Dramani Mahama to step in and caution Ablakwa, who is a leading figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
