President John Mahama’s conspicuous absence from this week’s high-profile summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and five West African leaders has
President John Mahama’s conspicuous absence from this week’s high-profile summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and five West African leaders has raised eyebrows across diplomatic and political circles, especially as U.S.-Ghana relations continue to deteriorate under Trump’s return to power.
The three-day mini summit, held at the White House, brought together the leaders of Senegal, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Gabon — all eager to strengthen economic ties with Washington.
The event, billed by the Trump administration as a “shift from aid to trade,” was seen by analysts as part of a broader effort by the U.S. to counter growing Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, particularly in regions rich in critical mineral resources.
However, Ghana, one of West Africa’s most stable democracies and a traditional ally of the United States, was not among the invited nations — a development that many see as a diplomatic snub. This is coming in a week where the United States is implementing a new restrictive visa policy for Ghana.
A Shift in U.S. Strategy — and a Change in Friends
Speaking in the White House’s State Dining Room, President Trump heaped praises on Africa’s “great economic potential,” emphasizing its abundance of valuable natural resources such as oil, uranium, and manganese.
“This is a continent with great opportunity. We are not here to give handouts — we are here to build partnerships through trade,” Trump declared.
The summit is being interpreted as part of Trump’s “transactional diplomacy,” where countries are selected based on what they can offer in return — resources, alliances, and alignment with his strategic goals.
Political analysts noted that the five invited countries are either resource-rich or geopolitically aligned with Trump’s current foreign policy vision.
Notably, Donald Trump also alluded to potential “safe third country agreements” with the participating African nations — a vague reference that left policy observers speculating on whether migration deals, similar to those previously signed with Latin American nations, were in the works.
Ghana’s Exclusion and the Broader Political Context
Ghana’s absence, however, was glaring. President Mahama, currently serving his second non-consecutive term, has been outspoken about Trump’s recent posture towards Africa
In May 2025, President Mahama condemned what he called an “undignified ambush” during Trump’s Oval Office meeting with South Africa’s president — an event widely criticized for its lack of diplomatic protocol.
“An insult to one African leader is an insult to all Africans,” Mahama said at the time, drawing applause from several African Union members, but reportedly earning Trump’s ire.
This isn’t the only flashpoint. Trump’s administration has recently blacklisted Ghana, among other African countries, under new travel restrictions announced last month.
Though officially framed as security and immigration-related, many view the move as retaliatory.
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