By Ismaeel Aleem
Ghana has begun accepting West African nationals deported from the United States, including Nigerians, as part of an agreement with Washington, President John Dramani Mahama announced on Wednesday.
The move comes as the U.S. intensifies its deportation efforts under President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
According to Reuters, the first batch of 14 deportees, comprising Nigerians, a Gambian, and others, has already arrived in Accra.
Ghanaian authorities are facilitating their return to their respective countries.
Ghana gives reason for decision
Mahama explained the decision, stating, “We were approached by the U.S. to accept third-party nationals being removed from the U.S., and we agreed that West African nationals were acceptable because all our fellow West Africans don’t need a visa to come to our country.”
He emphasised that West Africans are exempt from visa requirements in Ghana, making the arrangement feasible.
The agreement aligns with Trump’s push to deport migrants to third countries, a policy that has sparked concerns among human rights groups.
Previously, the U.S. has deported migrants to countries like Eswatini, South Sudan, and Rwanda, despite reported safety risks.
Trump’s administration has been vocal about expanding such arrangements, with the president hosting five West African leaders, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal at the White House on July 9 to discuss, among other issues, accepting deportees from other nations.
However, not all West African countries have agreed to similar terms. Nigeria, for instance, has firmly rejected U.S. overtures to accept deportees from outside its borders.
In July, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, cited national security and economic concerns as reasons for the refusal, underscoring Nigeria’s stance against serving as a deportation hub.
