Ghana Becomes First West African Nation to Accept U.S. Deportees
Ghana accepts West African nationals deported from US.
Ghana has become the first West African nation to accept deported migrants from the United States, receiving a group of 14 West African nationals, including Nigerians and one Gambian, as announced by President John Dramani Mahama during a press conference late Wednesday. This move aligns Ghana with Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan, other African countries that have agreed to receive deportees under U.S. immigration policies.
President Mahama explained that the decision stems from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement, which allows visa-free travel for West African nationals. “We agreed with Washington that West African nationals were acceptable because they don’t need a visa to enter Ghana,” Mahama stated, emphasizing the country’s commitment to regional cooperation. The deportees are being assisted to return to their home countries, with Nigerian nationals provided bus transportation and the Gambian national coordinating with their embassy for repatriation.
The agreement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown in his second term, targeting individuals he claims are criminals or have overstayed visas. While Mahama did not disclose whether the 14 deportees had criminal records, the policy has sparked debate across Africa. In July, Trump hosted leaders from Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Gabon to discuss similar arrangements, but Nigeria, a major source of the deportees, has resisted, citing “significant pressure” on African nations.
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Ghana’s decision highlights its role as a regional hub, but it also raises questions about the broader implications of third-country deportations. As the U.S. continues its aggressive immigration stance, Ghana’s facilitation of these returns underscores the delicate balance between international cooperation and domestic priorities.
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